Vol.57 Autumn 2022
Fall is here and the cycle of change continues at KLN. We have expanded the Cover Feature—the section where we explore how a certain theme is treated in Korean lit—to include yet more perspectives on the selected theme. In this issue, three essays explore how Korean literature looks at and portrays hope. At a time when the dark clouds of pandemic, war, climate change, and inflation loom over us, hope is what will get us through. This issue’s Featured Writer section is graced by Poet Lee Sumyeong. Read Lee’s answers to fellow poet Moon Bo Young’s questions in her interview to understand her approach to poetry while enjoying her poems at the same time, then round off your introduction to the poet with critic Bo Won Kang’s insightful essay. In the Bookmark section, we feature short stories by Cheon Un-yeong and Wi Soo Jung and poems by You Hee-kyoung and Baek Eunsun. For the Inkstone section, we’re excited to present the classic tale of Jeon Unchi, a Taoist wizard and trickster figure from old Korea, immortalized in numerous books and comics as well as the small and big screens. We will be serializing this epic tale so be sure to keep an eye out for it in future issues. For this issue, we have a special article that looks at how K-pop idols can do more than make fans groove to their music—they can also make you fall in love with reading and the arts! And finally, of course, we have our Reviews section, where we take a look at several exciting new titles, including a rare Amharic translation of a Korean classic. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed preparing it.
— Agnel Joseph, Editor-in-Cheif
