Heritage expert You Hong-june pens new cultural travelogue series

Our entire country is a museum, wrote You Hong-june a professor emeritus of art history at Myongji University, at the very beginning of his 1993 bestseller travelogue series, “My Exploration of Cultural Heritage.” It means every corner of the country is a breathing and living museum of history and culture, said the author. You, who is also the chair of the executive board of the Academy of Korean Studies and former head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, has been at the forefro

Nov. 22, 2023

S. Korean literary giant Jo Jung-rae embarks on final chapter of his journey as writer

South Korean literary giant Jo Jung-rae said his latest novel, “Golden Paper,” marks the beginning of the ultimate chapter in his literary journey. Reflecting on his extensive career since his debut in 1970, Jo categorized his years so far into two phases: The initial phase of short stories and novellas and the second phase which he dedicated to exploring the country's turbulent history through a number of epics -- “Taebaek Mountain Range,” “Arirang” and

Nov. 21, 2023

[New in Korean] Historical mystery adventure by writer of 'School Nurse Ahn Eun-young'

"Seol Ja-eun Returns to Geumseong" By Chung Serang Munhakdongne Publishing Chung Serang, the author behind "School Nurse Ahn Eun-young," which was the base for the Netflix series "The School Nurse Files," ventures into the realm of historical mystery adventure with her latest novel, "Seol Ja-eun Returns to Geumseong." The novel marks a shift toward the historical and detective genres for the star writer who previously explored speculative fiction and scien

Nov. 19, 2023

[New in Korean] Kim Hye-jin of 'Concerning My Daughter' brings housing issue to the fore

"A Heart Wishing for Blessings" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Kim Hye-jin Moonji Publishing In Kim Hye-jin's short story, "Mokhwa Mansion," protagonists Man-ok and Sun-mi share a complex relationship of landlord and tenant, finding themselves in equally precarious situations. They look out for each other, extending neighborly assistance in the beginning. But when things get rough, Man-ok demands that Sun-mi vacate the house as soon as possible. Sun-mi re

Nov. 18, 2023

[New in Korean] Seven minds share single body in '7-day rotation system'

"A Day of Your Existence" By Park So-young Changbi Publishers In the latest novel by emerging sci-fi writer Park So-young, titled "A Day of Your Existence," readers are transported to a captivating future society. The story unfolds in a world with a "human 7-day rotation system," where seven individuals share a single body -- due to environmental destruction and food scarcity. Within this system, known as “Bodymates,” each person utilizes the shared bo

Nov. 17, 2023

Han Kang says novels were form of resistance against violence

GWANGJU -- To capture humans in works of literature is a pledge against violence, according to award-winning writer Han Kang. Han, who recently won the Prix Medicis for foreign literature in France and was the first Korean to do so, delivered a keynote speech on Wednesday at the 9th International Congress of Writers Writing in Korean. The event, organized by the PEN Korean Center, a member of PEN International, a worldwide association of writers founded in London in 1921, took place at the Kim D

Nov. 16, 2023

Prix Medicis winning Han Kang wants next novel to be 'spring'

Her happiest moment in writing so far was when she finished “I Do Not Bid Farewell,” said novelist Han Kang at a press conference in Yangcheon-gu, western Seoul, Tuesday. “Because it was a work that took me a long time and was so difficult to write,” she said. Han made history Thursday by winning the Prix Medicis for foreign literature in France, becoming the first South Korean author to achieve the feat. Portuguese author Lidia Jorge’s “Mercy” was named

Nov. 14, 2023

S. Korean literary giant Hwang Sok-yong turns to folktales for children

Folktales are passed down through generations, evolving as they move from one storyteller to another. They transcend being merely old stories, but "stories of the present" and "stories of the future," according to South Korean novelist Hwang Sok-yong. A towering figure in the country’s literary scene since his debut in 1962, Hwang announced a distinctive turn in his literary journey: He will focus on folktales for children as he approaches the twilight of his career. Fo

Nov. 14, 2023

Multicultural educator Min Byoung-chul paints his road to success in new book

Min Byoung-chul, widely known as a multicultural educator and for his practical English teaching, released his autobiography on Tuesday. Written in Korean, the book, “Solid Success Comes from a Chance Encounter," describes over 60 chapters how crossing paths with strangers in life led him to new opportunities. It expands on his interview in January this year on tvN talk show “You Quiz on the Block,” hosted by comedian duo Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho. The last chapter of t

Nov. 14, 2023

Han Kang wins Prix Medicis for 'I Do Not Bid Farewell'

South Korean author Han Kang’s latest novel, “I Do Not Bid Farewell,” has clinched the prestigious Prix Medicis for foreign literature in France, the first time a work by a South Korean author has received the prize. Portuguese author Lidia Jorge’s “Mercy” (“Misericordia” in French) is a co-recipient of the prize, which was announced Thursday. The Prix Medicis is one of the four major literary awards in France, along with the Goncourt, Renaudot and

Nov. 12, 2023

Han Kang wins prestigious French award for foreign literature

South Korean author Han Kang won a prestigious French literary award Thursday with her novel "I Do Not Bid Farewell." The 2021 book was named the winner of the Prix Medicis award for foreign literature. The Prix Medicis, founded in 1958, is among the top literary awards honoring works of fiction in France. The foreign literature category was added in 1970 to recognize books published in translation. Han had also been nominated for the Prix Medicis with "Greek Lessons" in 2017

Nov. 9, 2023

Nobel-winning Le Clezio talks about Jeju and myth

French writer Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio, recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature, talked about myth and Jeju Island in a lecture at the Kyobo Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on Friday. Titled “The Myth and the Tale,” the lecture was hosted by the Daesan Foundation. Le Clezio emphasized the significance of myths, describing them as collective fictional creations. “Myths are collective fictional creations … and Korea has a rich source of inspiration through its

Nov. 7, 2023

[Herald Interview] Through memories, Bora Jin pens ode to grandfather and Busan

Memories may fade with time, but the genuine emotions within the memories persist, Bora Jin, an author and winner of the 2022 New Korean Voice Prize, said about her debut novel, “A Prescription for You From Memory Care.” The award was launched by the New York-based Barbara J. Zitwer Agency in collaboration with the Charm Agency in Seoul to discover new voices in the Korean literary scene. After Jin's win a year ago, the book was published in August. The inspiration for the novel

Nov. 7, 2023

'Oh, Jejudo' by Hyun Ki-young among this year's Daesan Literary Awards winners

Novelist Hyun Ki-young became the oldest recipient of the Daesan Literary Awards Monday for his latest three-volume novel, "Oh, Jejudo” (Changbi Publishers), which narrates the whirlpool of Jeju Island myths and tales following the history of the island from the late Joseon period, the Japanese colonial period to the April 3 uprising and tragedy. “I am quite embarrassed to receive an award at this age when I should be giving out (awards),” said the 82-year-old writer durin

Nov. 6, 2023

[New in Korean] 'The path to happiness is forgiveness,' says Korea's first million-selling author

"Condolences for the Lost Time" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Kim Hong-shin Hainaim Kim Hong-shin, the author of Korea's first million-selling novel, "Human Market" (1981), meets readers with "Condolences for the Lost Time," a narrative that delves into the torment and redemption of a person unfairly stigmatized by a group. The story begins with Han Seo-jin's daughter, Ja-in, reading her father's posthumous letter and retracing his li

Nov. 5, 2023

[New in Korean] Even in city overrun by mold, humans dream of stars, sunsets

"Ground Explorers" By Kim Cho-yeop Publion Best-selling science fiction writer Kim Cho-yeop has published her second full-length novel in two years. While her first novel, “Greenhouse at the End of the Earth,” which sold over 150,000 copies, told a story about plants taking over the Earth, her latest dystopian sci-fi novel, “Ground Explorers,” deals with fungi. Fungal spores that spread madness to humans take over the Earth, driving humans into dark, musty und

Nov. 5, 2023

[New in Korean] Millionaire dog sponsors human artist in Yun Ko-eun’s ‘Art on Fire’

"Art on Fire" By Yun Ko-eun EunHaeng NaMu Publishing Author Yun Ko-eun, the winner of the prestigious CWA Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger in 2021 for the novel "The Disaster Tourist” (translated by Lizzie Buehler), returns with the black comedy "Art on Fire." The story follows an artist named Ahn Yi-ji, who once aspired to be a painter but now makes a living as a delivery rider. One day, she receives an interesting offer from a foundation called the Robert Foun

Nov. 4, 2023

Pak Kyongni Prize winner Christoph Ransmayr says literature sparks imagination, breaks biases

If literature has one pivotal purpose, it is the very act of imagining what lies beyond our own life and language, and the attempt to think about the lives of others, according to Austrian novelist Christoph Ransmayr, winner of the 12th Pak Kyongni Prize. “It's not possible to define what literature is. But the attempt to understand unfamiliar environments and people through literature, at the very least, helps eliminate biases towards others and encourages an attempt to bring about c

Nov. 2, 2023

Han Kang's 'I Do Not Bid Farewell' shortlisted for two French literary awards

Acclaimed South Korean author Han Kang’s latest novel, “I Do Not Bid Farewell,” has earned a spot on the shortlists for two prestigious literary awards in France, according to the book's Korean publisher. “I Do Not Bid Farewell,” translated to French by Kyungran Choi and Pierre Bisiou, has so far been shortlisted for the Prix Femina for foreign literature and Prix Medicis for foreign literature -- on Oct. 24 and Oct. 18, respectively -- according to Munhakdongn

Oct. 29, 2023

Book records testimonies of bereaved families, survivors of Itaewon tragedy

On the night of Oct. 29, 2022, 159 young lives were lost in a packed alley in Itaewon, Seoul. The book "We Are in Itaewon Now," (a literal translation of the Korean title) (Changbi Publishers), released ahead of the first anniversary of the tragedy, is the first published collection of interviews of the survivors and the bereaved families. "I trust ordinary people. If they are given the right information and the facts, even those who cursed and criticized (the victims) will change

Oct. 25, 2023