Launch Something! is the second novel by Bae Myung-Hoon, who once again serves us with biting political satire, full of absurdity and sharp humor. In the near future, Earth is experiencing a terrible heatwave (sounds familiar, right?) caused by the appearance of a “second sun” on the horizon – a metallic Pac Man-like object that reflects sunlight and brings the environment to near boiling point. Unfortunately, the object continues to grow, seriously threatening the lives of all inhabitants of our planet. That’s when the South Korean government decides to help the Americans in the fight against the unknown enemy.
Bae Myung-Hoon creates an array of full-blooded characters with who are easy to befriend. Nothing is black and white here, and the author’s brilliant narration makes the book hard to put down. It is also worth mentioning that Bae Myung-Hoon studied diplomacy at the Seoul National University, which is visible in his work – there are political threads related to war, terrorism, international relations, as well as a many social themes. This book not only draws you in, but also provides an accurate commentary on the condition of modern society – all presented in a light, ironic way.
