Jin Seongrim Releases New Novel "And Again, Us": Characters at the Crossroads of Medicine and Law

Jin Seongrim, a pulmonology specialist and author, has published her latest novel, "And Again, Us."

The story unfolds around characters working in specialized fields such as medicine and law. The protagonist, Seongrim, is a pulmonologist with extensive experience in bronchoscopy procedures. When the chairman of the large company Shibjaseong faces a medical emergency, she assesses the patient’s condition and performs a bronchoscopy, ultimately saving his life.

However, these medical decisions soon lead to legal issues. Questions arise over whether a certain medical act, performed at another institution, violated medical law, resulting in Seongrim's actions being scrutinized once again in court. The tension in the story is driven by the gap between choices made to save a patient and those permitted by law.

The novel places greater emphasis on the limitations professionals encounter rather than their abilities. In her relationships with people around her—such as lawyers Shin Seulgi and Kim Jeongwon—Seongrim finds herself unable to identify clear standards as she does when treating patients. Medical knowledge and experience offer no definite solutions when faced with problems involving emotions and relationships.

The death of her longtime friend Wonhee forms another pivotal axis of the book. Wonhee, who was investigating Shibjaseong’s corruption, loses her life. Seongrim performs CPR on her collapsed friend, but ultimately fails to save her. This scene underscores that even for doctors whose work is to save lives, there are moments they cannot prevent.

While the novel adopts the formats of a medical or legal drama, it does not merely showcase specialized expertise in those fields.

"And Again, Us" follows the vulnerability hidden behind the title of ‘professional,’ peering into aspects of life that cannot be fully explained by work-based judgments alone.

Drawing on her real-life experience as a pulmonology specialist, Jin Seongrim vividly depicts scenes from the medical field. At the same time, the novel broadens its vision beyond hospitals and courtrooms, exploring issues of love, loss, regret, and choice. Medicine may heal the body and law may judge responsibility, but neither can resolve the emotional and relational matters a person faces—a sentiment that pervades the entire novel.

"And Again, Us" introduces characters like doctors and lawyers, who are required to make professional judgments. Yet, the story ultimately reveals that they, too, are individuals who love, lose, choose, and live their lives like anyone else.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.