• Themes in Korean Lit

• Inkstone

• The Place

• Overseas Angle

• Book for You

• Doodle

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  Overseas Angle

  Our Korean Literature Book Club: KBC Naehun

  Our story starts in the middle of the pandemic, in June 2020. Since we had to spend most of our days inside our homes, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Romania organized numerous online events for the Romanians who love Korea. One of the events was a Korean Literature Quiz, for which we had to read The Court Dancer by Kyung-Sook Shin (Dansul privighetorii de primăvară, tr. Diana Yuksel—Ed.). Thanks to this event, I had the chance to meet people from around Romania who were interested in Korean literature.After this event, I remembered a wish I had since I was in my early twenties: to be part of a book club, where I can not only read books but also share and learn new things from different perspectives. Since the pandemic didn’t offer many options, I decided to ask my online friends if they would be interested in starting a Korean literature book club. Most of them were excited about the idea, so we had our first meeting in October 2020. Since then, we have been reading one book each month, and now—August 2023—we are reading our thirty-fifth book! Our book club name is KBC Naehun. KBC stands for “Korean Book Club,” while Naehun is the first known book written by a female author in Korea, and since our group first consisted only of women, we found it to be the perfect name.Looking back at the almost three years we have spent reading Korean literature together, I realized that we have learned to appreciate certain things, which I will shortly describe below.We have come to value Korean literature translated into Romanian. One of our club members, Camelia—who wants to publish her Korea Travel Journal in the future—suggested we only read Korean literature that is translated into Romanian. This suggestion proved to be a great idea because it encourages us to purchase translated books, showing Romanian publishers that there are people interested in Korean literature. Since we are currently reading our thirty-fifth book, we sometimes struggle to find new titles to read, but we often share information about new releases, and we are more than delighted to discover new books. Our most recent discovery is the Romanian translation of I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee (Vreau să mor, dar vreau să mănânc tteokbokki, tr. Prodan Iolanda—Ed.), and we look forward to reading it!Another thing we treasure is our mutual respect. Our book club consists of people from various ages, occupations and backgrounds, and during our meetings there are times when we hold different opinions regarding the books we are reading. But despite having contrasting ideas at times, we have learned to listen to each other, to consider other points of view, and to try to understand why certain people think the way they do. Every time we read a new book I wait with anticipation to hear what my book club friends have to share.Last but not least, the relationship we have built is another thing we hold precious. Our book club started with about twelve members, but today we have about seven regular members. Even if the number got smaller, the appreciation we have for each other and the quality of our conversations got deeper. We even started a small tradition of meeting in person at least once a year. Whenever we meet, we try to incorporate Korean culture into our day: we eat Korean food, we visit Korean stores, we watch Korean movies, we share memories from our trips to Korea and look for Korean novels in our local bookstores. Korean literature has been a very special part of our lives until now. It brings us joy every month and we hope that someday we will have the chance to hold our book club meeting somewhere under the Korean sky! Until then, we will continue to search for Korean novels translated into Romanian, to read them and to share and talk about the impact these books have on our ways of thinking and on our lives.  Cristina Rosian studied Korean language and literature for her Bachelor’s Degree and currently works as a copy-editor in a publishing house in her hometown, Medias, in Romania. She enjoys reading, playing with children, learning and teaching foreign languages, especially Korean. One of her dreams is to translate a children’s book from Korean to Romanian. She also enjoys doing Korean-Romanian interpreting for various events.

  by Cristina Rosian

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  Book for You

  [Book for You] Over two years, I still can't get over him.

  Sohn Jeong-seung(Sohn): Hello everyone! We’re the book prescribers, providing comfort in your time of need through the medium of books.I’m SohnJeong-seung !  Kim Sanghyuk(Kim): And I’m Kim Sanghyuk, the man who speaks through poems!  Sohn: There are some couples, whether they’re married or just dating, that are so different from each other that they always end up fighting. Kim: That’s right! Our letter-writer today is someone who’s struggling with the same problem.Let’s take a look.   Sohn: Today’s letter comes to us from Phee in Nigeria. Phee’s letter to Book for You We loved each other, but we were always fighting, breaking up, making up, breaking up again… It was exhausting. We’ve been apart for over two years now, but I still can’t seem to get over him. What should I do? Kim:  The reason it’s hard to advise Phee to just forget the past and move on isthat love is like a living organism, and some loves do come back to life.That said, I do want to say that the time and effort you’ve poured into a relationship doesn’t oblige youto stay bound to the past, keeping up a love that only hurts you.The most important thing to remember is that love is not pain.If anything, I think that love is the act of sharing pain to lighten its load.On that note, I’d like to introduce one of my favorite poems: “The Invention of Love,”from the poet Lee Yeong-gwang’s collection The Tree Is Going.  You said that if ever you grew tired of living and living You’d dig a hole in the mountains where nobody goesAnd climb in and lie down and refuse to eat[ . . . ]So shocked was I that like lightning,Like lightning, I had to invent love.From “The Invention of Love ” Kim: I can’t say for sure what Phee’s decision should be, but I think it is worth thinking over at least once whether this is a love that saves one another, or one that only brings pain. The moment true love is invented, our pain disappears.  Kim:  You could say this is the essence of love the poet is writing about.I think that when Lee Yeong-gwang speaks of “the moment love is invented,” he’s referring to a love that saves a life.  Sohn: I once took about five years to let go of a past love myself, so this letter really resonated with me.I thought a lot about which book to recommend to Phee, and I finally settled on the title story “Us” from Tomorrow’s Lovers, a collection of short stories by the writer Jung Young Su. Sohn: The narrator, a former editor, is approached by a couple looking to write a book about their romance. The story follows the narrator and the couple, Jung-eun and Hyeon-su , over the course of their brief acquaintance.Seeing these two as mature adults, the narrator comes to compare their relationship with his own love and is inspired to begin writing a letter to his ex, Yeon-gyeong. Unfortunately, that letter doesn’t come easy. My words were tiptoeing around the point. I had to speak to her directly—not in hollow symbols, but in my own raw voice. But in fact what I realized after I began writing was that, let alone what I wanted to say to Yeon-gyeong, I didn’t even know exactly how I felt about her. From “Us”     Sohn: If you keep dwelling on the past, that can become a habit in itself, even if your ex no longer has an important place in your life. So what I want to say to Phee is that, even if you come to rekindle your love, I hope you’ll take the time to really consider whether this is right for you. The act of recalling the past is neither remembrance nor record,but reinterpretation and reinvention.  Sohn: There’s an incredible twist at the end of “Us,” so I hope you can find your answer as you read the story through.  Kim: Love is important too, but isn’t it true that we learn a lot through breakups? I think that one thing is for sure: farewells help us to grow up, and to grow stronger.  Sohn: We’ve been receiving an amazingly diverse range of personal stories on the theme of “Love.”I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of story will be awaiting us next time.  Kim: Then till next time… Book for You:  Sohn:  A book for you! Sohn&Kim: Bye!  Today’s Prescriptions:The Tree Is Going   &  Tomorrow’s Lovers

  by Korean Literature Now

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  Overseas Angle

  Finding Yourself Eighteen Thousand Kilometers Away

  I was studying for one of my university classes when my aunt called me a few years ago, her voice full of excitement. I asked her the reason for her call, and she told me that she had been reading Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo (translated into Spanish by Joo Hasun—Ed.).In Chile, despite the strong presence of Asian media, there is still a subdued reluctance among older generations to engage with such content. My family knows that I have a deep interest in Korean literature, a fascination that has developed since my early teenage years. Because of this, I became the go-to person for everything Korea-related. However, my lengthy discussions about Korean novels were usually met with puzzled looks and little to no interest. Questions such as “Why read about a place so far away?” and “Why invest time in learning about a culture so different from ours?” were a regular occurrence during family gatherings. Apparently, to my family, being interested in Korea instead of the United States or Europe seemed like a waste of time.I cannot deny that I was pleasantly surprised when my aunt called me and told me she had been reading a Korean novel. I was curious to know her thoughts on the book, and she revealed that she had cried throughout the whole novel. “How can it be,” she asked me, “that a woman in Korea experiences the same struggles as I have?” After a brief pause, she continued, “How can the protagonist’s mother feel so much like my own?”Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 gained immense popularity in Chile a few years ago. I wondered how my aunt managed to get a copy. Korean literature translated into Spanish was scarce at the time, and due to the novel’s unexpected popularity, it was sold out nationwide. I asked around until I discovered that my cousin, her oldest daughter, who was living in the Netherlands at the time, had purchased the book for her. She told me she had read the book and found it so earth-shattering that she felt compelled to find a copy and send it across continents so that her mother could read it as well. “I tried to buy it in Chile,” she later explained, “but it was sold out everywhere, and I knew she needed to read it.” How she managed to find a Spanish copy of the book in the Netherlands remains a mystery to this day.How big can the impact of a single novel be, that it prompts a daughter, living kilometers away, to send a book across the ocean so that her mother can read it, too?I think this story exemplifies the impact of Korean literature and sheds a light on the reasons behind its popularity. Over the years, I have witnessed the number of people that enjoy reading Korean literature increase exponentially. Now, people oftentimes come to me and share their reactions, acquainted as they are to my ramblings about Korean books. The responses are almost always along the lines of, “How can someone like me, a person born and raised in Chile, kilometers away from these people, relate to the experiences depicted in these stories?” “How can we feel the same things? Suffer from the same hardships?” “How can I find myself reflected in the words of someone that lives on the other side of the world?”People always get surprised by how Korean literature can make them feel. They describe how the words seem to pull at their heartstrings, as though they were words written by someone that has known them their entire life. It makes sense, though, to be surprised: after all, the similarities between Korea and Chile can be counted on one hand. But I guess we forget sometimes that we are not defined solely by our languages, surroundings, customs, and cultures. Beyond these external factors, we are all human, experiencing life through our human ways. The human experience is global, and although distances, both physical and cultural, may seem daunting, we all go about our lives in quite similar ways.The popularity of books like The Vegetarian and Human Acts by Han Kang (tr. Sunme Yoon—Ed.), Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, and Almond by Won-pyung Sohn (tr. José Manuel Moreno Cidoncha—Ed.) showcases how Korean literature has been slowly making a place for itself on the bookshelves of Chilean readers. The emergence of Korean literature courses in various Universities across the country and the success of publishing houses like Hwarang Editorial, dedicated exclusively to Korean literature, further illustrate the growth of this market, not only in Chile but throughout Latin America. Korean literature has managed to tear down long-standing prejudices about Korea in Chile, and I am excited to see where the encounter between these two cultures will take us. I want to see more people finding a part of themselves, eighteen thousand kilometers away.   Sofía A. Ramirez majored in English literature and linguistics with a mention in Media Communication from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She was the co-founder and illustrator for the university magazine La Pecera, a creative outlet for students during the pandemic. Currently, she is working as an Instructional Designer and as a freelance illustrator.

  by Sofía A. Ramirez

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  The Place

  Yoon Dong-Ju Literature Museum: A Museum Dedicated to Korea's Most Beloved Poet

     Foreword Wising not to haveso much as a speck of shametoward heaven until the day I die,I suffered, even when the wind stirred the leaves.With my heart singing to the stars,I shall love all things that are dying.And I must walk the roadthat has been given to me. Tonight, again, the stars arebrushed by the wind. Who is the most beloved poet in Korea?Korea’s own Yoon Dong-Ju.Today, in The Place, we will explorethe Yoon Dong-Ju Literature Museum.Let’s go! Florian KrapfCompeted in the Netflix reality series Physical: 100Guest starred in the MBC every1 series Welcome, First Time in Korea? Let’s see.We’ve come a pretty long way.Here it is, Yoon Dong-Ju Literature Museum.We’re here. The Place Seochon Literary Tour: Yoon Dong-Ju Literature MuseumFormerly a pressurization facility and multiple water tanks,the Literature House was designed to commemorate the works of Yoon,which were as inspirational as the pressurized pumpsthat allowed water to flow mightily.The first thing that caught my eye was this well.This was the actual well that sat in the poet’s house.“Self-Portrait” Coming round the mountain, I go up alone tothe solitary well at the edge of the rice field and peer in, quietly.[...] by Yoon Dong-Jutr. Kyung-Nyun Kim Richards, Steffen F. RichardsSky, Wind, and Stars, Asian Humanities Press, 2003  One of his poems is the work titled “Self-Portrait.”It also mentions a well.I believe he may have been inspired by this well. Behind me, you’ll see many photographs on display.They speak to the thoughts and contemplations that ran through Yoon Dong-Ju’s mind.Poet’s House (Gallery 1)The poet’s life is featured in chronological order across 9 displaysthrough photographs and prints of handwritten manuscripts.They tell of the poet’s thoughts on his art.I see the covers of many books on the other side.Excuse me. May I know what those books are? Jung Rin Kang / Docent (Kang) : Yoon Dong-Ju was a poet and writer but he was also a voracious reader.He was fond of Baek Seok and Chong Chi-Yong’s collectionsas well as Kim Yeongrang’s Yeong-rang Collection and The Eulhae Collection of Great Poems. Florian Krapf (Florian): It’s amazing that we get to experience the same thoughts and dilemmas he had. Kang : Yoon Dong-Ju would walk the lengths of Inwangsan Mountain and be inspired to write poetry.That was the reason this museum was built here. Florian: Let’s head to the next exhibition hall.Come with me. We are inside the second gallery.As you can see, it’s titled Open Well. Open Well (Gallery 2)Inspired by the well from Yoon’s “Self-Portrait,“the gallery features the open roof of a repurposed water tank.Wells held much significance for Yoon.The space was designed with that motif in mind. Let’s head to the third gallery.I hear something. Closed Well (Gallery 3)Closed Well has preserved a disused water tank in its original form.Videos of the poet’s life and art are screened in a roommeant for silence and self-reflection.The roof is closed, hence the title Closed Well.This is a great place for quiet contemplation. In 1941, Yoon collected 18 of his writings and “Foreword“to create the collection Sky, Wind, and Stars.Imprisoned for aiding in his country’s independence effort,Yoon died in prison after a year and a half.He passed away at the age of 27 without witnessing the publication of his collection. His works continue to shine and provide comfort to so many people.That is the power of literature.We hope you too can feel a measure of comfortfrom Yoon Dong-Ju’s poetry today. I’ll see you at our next place.Bye bye!

  by Korean Literature Now

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  Overseas Angle

  The Rise of Korean Literature on Tiktok

  Korean literature is having a moment on TikTok. I’m certain of it after a year and a half on the platform. When I started TikTok in February 2022, among my ideas was that I would talk about Korean literature, because I have much love for it and did not see it enough on the platform. Fast forward to now, I have garnered a modest following of over 19,000, built on the swelling hunger for Korean literature that I’ve stumbled upon on TikTok. Even more extraordinary is the fact that my videos are often two to three minutes long, which is an eternity on TikTok. Yet people have flocked to hear what I have to say about fiction from Korea. Many times, when I put out a video on a book by a Korean author, my engagement and views spike up. In the comments section, people fervently ask for the next recommendation. They also proudly declare that they have ordered the book online after seeing my video. The true evidence that Korean literature was coming to prominence on TikTok, at least to me, was when I was chosen as one of six TikTok personalities to form the International Booker Prize Book Club in 2023, which was a part of the Booker Prize Foundation’s campaign for the prize shortlist. The book that I was assigned to was Whale by Cheon Myeong-kwan (translated into English by Chi-Young Kim—Ed.), and understandably so because I covered it extensively when it was longlisted. The fact that the Booker Prize Foundation thought to find a Korean TikToker with a focus on Korean literature to represent a translated Korean novel is in itself proof that there is a noticeable enthusiasm for Korean literature on TikTok. Of course, there is always doubt as to how much of this is real support for Korean literature. A virtual hullabaloo often ends up being nothing but a murmur offline. But there are also moments when the digital noise represents an extension of the world we inhabit. In the case of Korean literature, the latter is certainly true. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed more books from Korea taking up space in bookshops, whether digital or not. My audience is largely North American, many of them Canadian. My account’s top city by viewership is Toronto. It could just be that the algorithm counts my location when deciding to whom it will push my content. But having been also a part of the literary community in Montreal, and an avid reader myself, I’m pleasantly surprised to see how the budding passion for Korean literature matches in reality what I’ve felt on TikTok. But all of this aside, I believe we are at the beginning of a potentially much larger and more ambitious journey. There is so much room for Korean literature to grow on TikTok, precisely because people are craving for more. Such energy is further fanned by prominent celebrity endorsements, such as recommendations made by RM from BTS, for whom the fandom is absolutely rabid on TikTok. In fact, the videos I’ve made on RM and his tastes in fiction are some of the most popular I’ve released until now. Various RM fans have commented, saying that they discovered so many Korean books after following my channel and coming across my RM videos. The iron is hot, and I certainly plan on seizing the moment with my initiatives. But so should anyone who has even an iota of affection for Korean literature. TikTok is no longer the “new platform that the kids are on.” It is a mature place of discussion and celebration. Korea has so many spectacular books to offer, and TikTok is ravenous for them. All we need to do is simply meet people halfway and show them just how rich Korean literature is. So, the question is, why would we not do this? Jinwoo Park is a Korean-Canadian writer based in Montreal. He completed his Master’s in creative writing at the University of Oxford in 2015, and has been working in the tech industry as a writer since. In 2021 he won the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers’ Award for his unpublished manuscript, Oxford Soju Club. He talks about literature on TikTok at @jinwoopark0721.

  by Jinwoo Park

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  Book for You

  [Book for You] Is it a problem that I’m asexual?

  Sohn Jeong-seung(Sohn): We are book prescribers, providing comfort in your time of need through the medium of books. I’m Sohn Jeong-seung. Kim Sanghyuk(Kim): And I’m Kim Sanghyuk. Sohn: Today’s letter is from someone who was faced with rejection from others due to her asexuality, a sexual orientation that hasn’t received a lot of societal attention to date.Kim: This letter comes to us from Egypt, written by UGLY DUCK. UGLY DUCK’s Letter: "Is it a problem that I’m asexual?"   I’ve never once fallen in love, and I’ve been single my whole life.But when I told others that I’m comfortable living this way, I wastold that I seem “not human.” Later I came to realize my identityas an asexual. It’s hard to find a partner without a sexualconnection when sex permeates everything. Do you know of anycases of asexual couples? Sohn: Discussing a kind of love that you’ve never personally experienced is something that needs to be approached with a lot of sensitivity, so this was a tough nut to crack, but who are we? Kim: Kim Sanghyuk.Sohn: And Sohn Jeong-seung, sending comfort through books!Sohn: You don’t know what a relief it was that we managed to find a novel that made us think “Eureka!” This is Bodies and Women, by the writer Lee Seo Su.  Sohn: This book isn’t about an asexual couple,but it is one in which a woman who doesn’t feel sexual desire makes a sole confession in her own words about her body and her sexuality.  Yeongseok, people say that a healthy life is one where you enjoy sex to your heart’s content, but people like me who don’t like sex exist too. To someone like me, words like those feel like a kind of violence[…] I want to use my body as much as I like for meeting up and talking with the people I like, and eating delicious food, and taking in beautiful landscapes, and drinking cool beer, and sleeping soundly, but not for sex[…] If I do have sex, I only want to have it with myself. Because I’m the only person who won’t wound my body, who can guess at the depths of my heart.From Bodies and Women Sohn: The writer speaks through this character to express the idea that creating standards for normality and pressuring someone into liberation is a different kind of oppression. The protagonist says that her existence is not wrong, but different. There’s a line I once read that said, “We read to know we are not alone” (William Nicholson, Shadowlands). I think it would be good for UGLY DUCK to read this book. There are no wrong existences. We are all just different. Kim: Every country is different in its culture, so I don’t think I can speak lightly about this matter, but what I can say for sure is that “living alone” is a personal choice. What we need is a good person we can connect with, not someone we share a bed with. So the book I’ve brought today is a collection of poetry by the poet Park Sang Su, I Won’t Leave You as a Soliloquy.  Walking by the riverside, as my last impulse I make a call, “There are a lot of people here, people who wave their hands or rub their calves against the railing, people who look good for having somewhere to return to, I’m sure there’s someone who’d see me as the same, I don’t often take my pills and I can eat even less” From “Some Things Just Happen”Kim: Looking at the narrator’s situation, she can’t take the medicine she needs to, and she can’t even eat.Under these circumstances, she’s walking by the riverside, and it seems that she’s considering suicide. So she’s in need of someone to comfort her, and she makes this call.   Because some things just happen, because they didn’t happen outof a hate for you, don’t try to punish the world by hurting yourselfanymore, this winter we should share frozen persimmons by thecoal stove. From “Some Things Just Happen”Kim:  This is the reply she receives from the friend who picks up, who consoles her with these words: “No matter how hard things are, don’t try to take revenge on the world by hurting yourself. Let’s share delicious fruit by the warm stove.” If you have someone around you who can offer you comfort like this, I think it would make life worth living, even if you don’t live together. If you have someone by your side you can share comfort with, you’ve already formed a relationship that’s enough. Sohn: This series is about replying to your letters with messages of comfort through books, but this letter especially was a great comfort to us.Kim: Since this is such a great series, we’ll see you again next time with a new letter.Sohn: Book for You-Kim: Book for you!Sohn&Kim: Bye~Today’s Prescriptions:Bodies and Women & I Won’t Leave You as a Soliloquy  

  by Korean Literature Now

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  Overseas Angle

  Fantastic Korean Literature and Where to Find It: The Hidden Diversity of Readers and Korean Bookstores in Indonesia

       The Hallyu wave, or the global spread of Korean pop culture, has left a significant impact in Indonesia. With K-pop idols dominating music charts and TV screens, it was only a matter of time before their influence permeated other aspects of popular culture. Enter K-pop-inspired readers—a generation of young Indonesians who find inspiration in K-pop’s vibrant aesthetics, compelling narratives, and dedicated fandoms, and apply these elements to their literary pursuits. These young Indonesians create K-pop book clubs, enthusiastic communities that bring together fans who share a common love for Korean pop music and literature. These book clubs are a fusion of two diverse interests, creating spaces where fans can explore and discuss not only the latest music releases and fandom activities but also a wide range of books from various authors to which they are introduced by their beloved idols. One popular example is the Indonesia Army Reading Club, which started its activity in December 2020. ARMY refers to the massive fan base of the popular group BTS. The book club is comprised of passionate BTS fans who are also avid readers and are eager to combine their love for literature with their enthusiasm for BTS. This movement is inspired by members of BTS, Namjoon especially, who love reading and sharing glimpses of their book collections with fans. Social media is one of the key factors that drive the growth of K-pop-inspired readers. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have become virtual gathering spaces for K-pop and book enthusiasts alike, fostering a sense of community among like-minded individuals. For example, Seventeen’s Indonesian fans have created @17slibrary, Day6 fans have founded @myday6reads, NCT fans run @readersijeuni, Ateez fans manage @atinythereaders, and many more. These K-pop book clubs are not simply about books and music. They’re also places for fans to form meaningful connections and share experiences. From July to October 2023, these book clubs joined forces to create a big online event called Indonesia Hallyu Book Festival. This is the first book festival for K-pop-inspired Indonesian readers supported by LTI Korea.The festival kicked off with the Korean Literature Review Contest where participants shared on social media their passionate reviews, thoughts, and interpretations. Several discussions about books read by K-pop idols and their influences on readers were held on Instagram Live. Those curious about the intricacies of literary translation joined the Peeking into the Kitchen of Korean Literary Translation event, to which expert translators were invited. The event transported participants into the world of literary publishing through an interactive session with a local publisher. As the festival unfolded, participants were treated to a compelling glimpse into the lives of Korean literary editors. This session allowed participants to understand the creative collaboration and meticulous craftsmanship that shape the final versions of their beloved Korean novels. It also gave immersive experiences into the behind-the-scene efforts required to bring Korean books to bookshelves. The festival left participants with ignited new passion to celebrate the power of an art that transcends borders and languages. With hearts and minds enriched, this festival renews their appreciation for both music and literature that enhance their fan experience.  Korean Bookstores in Indonesia           Over the past few decades, Korean literature and culture have experienced a noticeable surge in popularity in Indonesia, leading to a demand for related books and products. As a consequence, the establishment of Korean bookstores has become a growing phenomenon in the country. Korean bookstores have capitalized on this trend by offering a wide array of Korean novels, translated works, language learning resources, and merchandise related to Korean culture.Life Pattern Indonesia is the pioneer of online Korean bookstores in Indonesia since 2020. They are part of the Life Pattern Korea network, a retail bookstore that distributes in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Thailand. The bookstore stocks cultural books, cookbooks, and language learning materials, fostering an interest in Korean traditions and language among Indonesian readers. Another online bookstore that focuses on Korean literature is Danggeun Bookstore. It is a new independent bookstore dedicated to selling Korean books online. It offers a great selection of curated Korean literature, including contemporary novels, traditional literature, children’s books, and language learning resources, ensuring that readers can explore various genres from fiction and poetry to non-fiction, all penned by talented Korean authors.ⓒDanggeun BookstoreThe rise of Korean bookstores has had a notable impact on Indonesia’s book retail industry. Local bookstores have started to introduce Korean literature sections to meet the growing demand. Additionally, Indonesian publishers have played a pivotal role in facilitating the spread of Korean literature. They have begun to collaborate with their Korean counterparts and with translators to translate, publish, and distribute Korean literary works in the country, further diversifying the book market.  ⓒDanggeun BookstoreThe allure of Korean storytelling, coupled with translation efforts and active community engagement, has ensured that this literary fascination will show no signs of waning anytime soon. As the literary bridges between the two nations continue to strengthen, Korean literature will likely leave an indelible mark on Indonesia’s vibrant literary landscape for years to come.Larashati Laras completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Indonesia, followed by a Master's degree at Sungkyunkwan University. An avid reader of Korean literature, she developed a deep appreciation for its literary works, and plans to open her own Korean bookstore. She lives in Jakarta, Indonesia.

  by Larashati Laras

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  The Place

  The Chungwoon Literature Library: the First Ever hanok Library in Korea

  Hello!I’m Florian Krapf—German on the outside,but a true Korean on the inside!Florian KrapfCompeted in the Netflix reality series Physical: 100Guest starred in the MBC every1 series Welcome, First Time in Korea?  The Place Seochon Literary Tour: The Chungwoon Literature LibraryWhat could today’s “The Place” be?Check out the amazing giwa roof tiles behind me!Today’s “The Place” is the Chungwoon Literature Library! The first hanok public library of the Jongno District of Seoul, the Chungwoon Literature Library provides a space for reading, relaxation, and contemplation, as well as a variety of literary and cultural arts programs for local residents. Wow, isn’t it beautiful?It’s really a sight for sore eyes.And it’s totally different from what we expect a library to look like.Because it’s a library built as a hanok (traditional Korean house), there’s a distinctly Korean feel to it.Hello?This roof looks pretty special, wouldn’t you say?And you’d be right! It is!This roof was manufactured in the same way as the giwa tiles used in the reconstruction of Sungnyemun Gate, Korea’s National Treasure No. 1.Now I’m going to show you guys somewhere cool— I’ve rented the creative room.Remember to take your shoes off when you enter a hanok!Ta-da!It’s all ours! Opening the sliding doors filled with traditional beauty Welcomed by a roomful of elegant floor chairs and desksLocals gather here for book clubs and creative activities.And that’s not all!Sometimes they also hold literary exhibitions or invite guest writers for lectures on the humanities.This room is used for poetry-writing classes as well.There’s so much you can do here, so if you’re interested, come swing by!Now we’re on our way to the reading room, so I think we’ll need to be quiet.There are people using the room right now, so I’ll just give you a peek at what it looks like inside.Follow me! What might the reading room of the Korean writings-focused Chungwoon Literature Library look like? The collection includes a wide variety of literature, mainly poetry, novels, and essays.Fall into the world of books at the Chungwoon Literature Library!Time to take a break.Please take off your shoes here too!What did he see? Is this a library or a hotel?What a view…! The Chungwoon Literature Library is on high ground, right up against Inwangsan Mountain, and this altitude allows its visitors to vividly experience the distinct four seasons of the Korean year. In the Joseon dynasty, there was an institution called the Doksodang,This was a system in which a library would be built in a place with a beautiful viewand the king would allow brilliant, hardworking subjects to stay there and read.What happens when you read with such a beautiful view laid out before you?It recharges your batteries!Don’t we all need to take some time to recover after the daily grind?Then come on down to the Chungwoon Literature Library!The gorgeous Inwangsan Mountain is right next door too, so it’s perfect!I give it two thumbs up.See you next time, everyone!Goodbye! Translated by Jean Kim

  by Korean Literature Now

• 

  Overseas Angle

  A New Wave of Korean Literature in France

  France is one of the Western countries that took an early interest in Korean literature, with Maurice Courant's Bibliographie Coréenne (Korean Bibliography in English), and the translations of Printemps Parfumé (The Tale of Chunhyang) and Le Bois Sec Refleuri (The Tale of Sim Cheong), two classical novels of Korean literature, translated by Hong Jong-u at the end of the nineteenth century. However, it wasn’t until the first great wave of translations of Korean literature in the nineties that a concrete interest and niche readership really emerged.I began to read Korean literature in the 2010s, at the start of my university years. My first choices were novels by Eun Heekyung, various translations of Patrick Maurus, and the translations of Korean fairy tales, yadam and other works of classical literature such as the Histoire de Dame Pak (The Tale of Lady Park, tr. Marc Orange). At that time, manhwa also seemed to be finding their way onto the shelves of comic book shops, albeit discreetly compared to Japanese manga. What’s the situation today?Having lived in Korea for several years, I haven’t really followed the evolution of Korean literature and its reception in France: I didn’t expect to see such big changes in such a short time. I’ve noticed a stronger promotion of literary works and webtoons on social networks, but what a surprise it was to see Korean literature on prime-time TV and large webtoon posters in the Paris metro!In order to find out more, I decided to visit several bookshops, including Librairie Le Phénix, where Clémence Jacquin kindly answered my questions. Our discussion focused on the current state of Korean literature in France, and here are the main points:Today, the publication and reception of Korean literature in France seem to be very much linked to the Korean wave. Historically, Korean literature has been widely translated in France by publishers specializing in Korea and Asia, such as Philippe Picquier, Actes Sud, Zulma, Decrescenzo and Imago. Today, however, we are seeing new publishers like Matin Calme and Atelier des Cahiers, as well as larger publishing houses that are starting to publish Korean literature, such as NiL Éditions with Cho Nam-joo’s Kim Jiyoung, née en 1982 (Kim JiYoung, Born 1982, tr. Pierre Bisiou and Choi Kyung-ran) and La Croisée with Kwon Yeo-sun’s Lemon (tr. Kevin Jasmin Hamard). The two main reasons for this change are the growth of the Korean wave, and the increased interest shown by English-language publishers. These include novels such as Almond (by Sohn Won-Pyung), Kim JiYoung, Born 1982, and the memoir I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki (by Baek Sehee).[1]Whereas in the past, French publishing may have had a certain lead over the English-speaking world when it came to translating works of Korean literature, today many French publishers are following what sells in the anglophone world. Nevertheless, there are still publishers such as Decrescenzo and Matin Calme who continue to publish authors who are less known to the general public and not published in English. While publishers grow more enthusiastic, it seems that this enthusiasm remains within a small readership, except in certain cases, like Kim JiYoung, Born 1982.In recent years, there have also been two major turning points in Korean literature in France: the first corresponds to the publication of novels such as Kim JiYoung, Born 1982 and Pachinko (by Min Jin Lee, tr. Laura Bourgeois), which have generated new readership; the second to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which new readers of all ages have become interested in Korean literature, notably through initial contact via K-dramas on streaming services.Webtoon platforms and the publication of webtoons in print format have also shaken up the world of publishing and translation. Up until ten years ago, manhwa seemed to struggle to find its audience, but webtoons have found success in both digital and paper format. With a dedicated display in a specialist bookshop such as Le Phénix, and a spot in one of the major department stores in central Paris, such as Fnac, a number of titles sit at the top of the shelves with as much popularity as manga. In the case of Librairie Le Phénix, we should also note that more and more readers buy works in their original language, particularly for webtoons.But what about classic literature? Does it have a future? Undoubtedly, but to a lesser extent. Recently, however, Lady Hyegyeong’s Écrits du Silence (The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyŏng. tr. Han Yumi and Hervé Péjaudier) was surprisingly well received, proving that there is a place for classic Korean literature, not only fiction but also memoirs, as in this case. Personally, I still feel that there is a lack of consistent translations of Korean classics, but various publishers continue to strive to offer accessible translations.In conclusion, Korean literature in France today seems very much linked to the Korean wave and its expansion. This influence not only helps to make other areas of Korean literature more widely known, but also complements the offerings of historical publishers: Matin Calme offers a range of detective novels, including the historical novel Par Une Nuit Claire (On a Clear Night by Yi-sak Kim, tr. Lee Hyonhee and Isabelle Ribadeau Dumas). Finally, we will soon have the opportunity to read the translation of one of the most emblematic works of Korean fantasy, L’Oiseau qui Boit des Larmes (The Bird That Drinks Tears) by Lee Yeongdo.I’d like to thank Clémence Jacquin from the bookshop Librairie Le Phénix, who took the time to answer all my questions.[1] The books mentioned above have been translated in English by Jamie Chang (Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982), Janet Hong (Lemon), Sandy Joosun Lee (Almond), and Anton Hur (I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki)—Ed. Kevin JASMIN HAMARD is a French PhD candidate at the AKS in classical Korean literature. He is currently working on Korean classical literary criticism, and is a former student of LTI Korea’s Translation Academy. His first published translation is Kwon Yeo-sun’s Lemon in French.

  by Kevin JASMIN HAMARD

• 

  Book for You

  [Book for You] I'd like to learn how to love myself before I try loving anyone else.

  Sohn Jeong-seung(Sohn): Hello, viewers of KLN’s Book for You! This is Sohn Jeong-seung, sending warm messages of comfort through the medium of books!Sohn: This year I’m joined by a new book prescriber to double the warmth of that comfort, and here he is! Kim Sanghyuk(Kim): Hello. I’m the new book prescriber, Kim Sanghyeok. I debuted as a poet in 2009, and I’ve been writing ever since. Sohn:  Pleased to meet you. Sohn: This is our first Book for You in a while, so we were worried that some of our viewers might’ve forgotten us, but we actually received a lot of different letters. Today we’re focusing on the subject of love in particular. This letter asks a question about relationships and attachment. Shall we listen to its story?Rema’s letter addressed to Book for YouI’ve always had attachment issues, and my fear of abandonment or rejectionmakes it difficult for me to trust or bond with others. I had a crush on someone, but he only ever saw meas a good friend, and I came to realize that my attachment to him was unhealthy.For the sake of my future relationships, I’d like to learn how to love myself before I try loving anyone else. Kim: It seems the problem is that it’s not easy to love yourself, because the words “Love yourself” can feel hollow.I think we need to get more specific than just repeating empty words like “Love someone” or “Love yourself.” There’s a solution that’s especially good for a booklover like Rema, and that’s to read. though you might think that’s a bit obvious.People often say that poems are useless, but personally I think poetry is the work of adding eyes, nose, and mouth to an unseen sensibility.So I can’t help but think that reading is something that makes yourself a bit more attractive a person.Feeling attraction to someone who is a deep thinker, or being able to offer that to someone else as one of your inalienable charms—I think that’s what reading can do.There’s a poet who’s excellent at adding eyes, nose, mouth, and subtle expressions to sensibility, and that’s the poet Kim Bok Hui. I’ve brought with me a poetry collection by her called Good for Sinking In. One dayOne long day without wind or rainIf I should meet a wavering leafI will waver I will halt my steps lost in thought(...)Some thoughts are prone to windsAnd some thoughts are full of rain I will think aboutthis giftFrom “The Gift of a Leaf”  Kim: The poem we read just now is an excerpt from Kim Bok Hui’s “The Gift of a Leaf.”When you look at this poem, she calls her introspective self a gift.I really liked that attitude.I think reading poetry like this can be a way to distance yourself when the world is too loud and take some time to yourself to quietly temper your aesthetic sensibility.Reading amazing poems also leads you to meet people with similar tastes, so I believe it can lead naturally to improved relationships in that aspect as well. How about putting a lovely smile on your face by reading poetry that gives expression to your sensibility?  Sohn: Being prone to introspection tends to lead to self-blame, but I can really feel the heart that described it as a gift.When I read Rema’s letter, there was a book that immediately came to mind, and it’s I Tinder You by the writer Jung Daegun.  Sohn: I Tinder You contains three short stories and an essay, and it’s the titular story that I’d like to introduce.“I Tinder You” stars the characters Ho and Sol, who meet on (the dating app) Tinder and very quickly grow close, and you see them spending a brief season in their lives together.These two say this to each other: “It doesn’t feel good to think of myself as your side piece, but it’s actually reassuring to think of us as each other’s spares.”  Sohn: This doesn’t mean their relationship is shallow and solely physical, or that they don’t know what each other means to them.Without realizing it, these two spend a time together called the “magic hour.”Ho, who’s worked in film for a long time, has this to say about the magic (or golden) hour, and I’ll read it to you now:When we’re filming, we call this brief moment the magic hour. You don’t want to miss this window, so all the staff and the actors are tense and focused,and it feels incredible. It’s precious because it’s so short.From I Tinder You Sohn: The story doesn’t end with Ho and Sol suddenly starting to date,or that they came to love themselves intensely or anything like that.But the reason I wanted to recommend it to Remais that I liked that Ho and Sol were already fully enjoying the things they thought they could only find in a committed relationship. I think the reason for getting too attached to someone is that they’re really precious to you, but you’re uncertain about your future together,and that uncertainty transfers itself to your present self. What’s important is that you can take comfort in anothereven if you aren’t necessarily in a committed relationship with them,and to be grateful that you spent a season in your life together,even if it doesn’t last forever! I hope you can move forward with that in your heart.That’s why I want to recommend this book to Rema.The truth is that the depth of a relationship isn’t proportionate to the time you spent together, but to your feelings for one another. Sohn:  Above all, the most important thing is that there are no absolute right answers in any relationship. Kim: That’s right. I think it’d be best for those who aren’t confident in their relationships, like Rema, to enter into relationships a bit more confidently and lightheartedly instead of clinging to relationships that don’t exist.That’s my recommendation. Sohn: I was really happy to be able to share our stories through books for the first time in a long while.How about you? Kim: I’m new to this, and I was so nervous it all passed by in a blur, but I’ve learned a lot listening today.We’ll see you next time, next letter, next prescription. Sohn: Book for You—  Kim: Book for You!Sohn&Kim: Bye everyone!

  by Korean Literature Now

• 

  Overseas Angle

  Finding Bookish Communities in Singapore and Seoul

  One of my fondest bookish memories from when I lived in Singapore is going to my first book reading with my best friend. It was at BooksActually, an independent bookstore tucked away in Tiong Bahru. A local band performed before the poetry reading, and the tiny store was crowded with book and music lovers alike, there to bask in the warm atmosphere and gorgeous prose.There is also that time when I got to perform an improvised Sesame Street-themed show with my improv team, Jalan Rambutan, on the second floor of a newly-opened bookstore called The Moon. It was a dream venue to perform at, for it was a stunning astrology-themed bookstore that championed LGBTQ+ and women’s literature. They also had a wonderful curation of picture books that encouraged empathy and self-acceptance. That day, my castmates and I played a puppet show about two rival roller-skating groups who were up against each other in becoming the world’s greatest roller-skate champions.As the children and grown-ups in the audience laughed their socks off at our goofy performance, I realized the importance of literary spaces. Places where like-minded people can gather, where creativity thrives, and where coloring outside the lines is embraced. In our little red dot, such places were rare, and for that reason, I held them closer to my heart.When the time came for me to start a new chapter of my life in Seoul, I was sad to leave behind the bookstores and bookish community I had found. What was the literary scene like in Seoul? Where would I begin to look for cute bookish events? Would I feel as welcome there? I had many concerns, but they vanished almost instantly.Not only are there plenty of independent bookstores in Seoul, but its bookish community is abundant with book talks, fairs, radio shows, and podcasts. At the beginning, I was more comfortable with what was available online. I stumbled upon a podcast called Sisi Alkol (or Drunk Poem), where a pair of hosts invite poets to talk about their latest book over drinks. I don’t drink because I’m allergic, but listening to the speakers describe the alcohol they’re having that day always makes me wish I could. After a few sips, the guests loosen up and they start chatting about literature and writing. It makes for good, casual listening, and I always come away from each episode inspired, having learned a bit about my favorite poets’ writing process.During my time as a student at LTI Korea, my classmates and I often went to small book fairs together. Seoul boasts a wide array of book fairs with exciting concepts and layouts. Once, we went to a book fair that was spread out across the entire neighborhood of Hapjeong. We were each handed a booklet to collect a stamp in every location. It felt like we were kids again, on a kindergarten excursion to the zoo. Each venue had a different curation of books. For instance, one focused on picture books while another featured booths from independent bookstores, including one hailing from Jeju. I loved seeing what books my friends were interested in, and how our tastes differed. It made me excited to read the books we’ll translate in the future.   Having settled down in Seoul for the time being, I’m still enjoying the benefits of living in a place that is enthusiastic about literature. But of course, there are times when I miss being surrounded by English books and the sound of people discussing books in English. Unfortunately, the brick-and-mortar bookstores that I used to frequent back home are now permanently closed, and when I do return, I’ll have to find new places to visit. Thankfully, I already know that my first stop will be the new Korean bookstore, Bommoi. I was surprised to learn that a foreign-language bookstore had opened in a predominantly English-speaking country. Yet it makes sense. As the Korean diaspora in Singapore grows alongside Singaporeans’ interest in Korean culture, perhaps Bommoi will be the perfect place for literature lovers of all nationalities and ethnicities to come together and share their love for books. And perhaps through Bommoi, my Singaporean friends will be able to get a glimpse into the bookish life I’m enjoying in Seoul.Gene Png is a literary translator and illustrator based in Seoul.She was awarded the Grand Prize in Poetry at the 53rd The Korea Times' Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards. 

  by Gene Png

• 

  The Place

  Boan Books: A bookstore and Cultural Venue of 80 years

  Hello! I’m Florian. I might look like your average German guy, but inside me beats the heart of a true Korean.   Florian Krapf Competed in the Netflix reality series Physical: 100 Guest starred in the MBC every1 series Welcome, First Time in Korea?   The Place Seochon Literary Tour: Boan Books It’s great to meet all the viewers of KLN. I’m really into Korean literature too. Right now I’m walking through Seochon.   Located between the east side of Inwangsan Mountain and the west side of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and designated a Hanok Preservation Area alongside the Insa-dong and Bukchon districts. In addition to being one of Korea’s most popular tourist attractions, also a major Seoul transport hub as well as a focal point of history and culture.   When you say Seochon, you think of snacks and sights, but historically this was a district that a lot of writers called their home. Maybe that’s why there are a LOT of bookstores and cultural spaces in Seochon even today. I thought for a long time about what location to introduce to you. Today’s “The Place” is this one right here: Boan Books!   The Tongui-dong Boan Inn, which served as a local haunt for writers since its opening in 1942. After being remodeled into an exhibition space in 2007, it was reborn as Boan1942, a multipurpose cultural space that functions as a bookstore, cafe, gallery, and lodgings, all at once.    What does it look like on the inside?   It’s definitely a really different atmosphere from the standard bookstore chains we’re used to. In addition to a wide range of books from all different genres, there are also some unique ones you’d be hard-pressed to find in your average bookstore.   This is The Vegetarian by Han Kang. It’s a favorite of mine, so I’m going to take a moment to read it.   The greatest appeal of this place is... Isn’t this a beautiful view? You could sit here and read or draw inspiration from the scenery outside, and it’d be a great place to study as well. I feel refreshed just looking outside.   Taking a brief break to read and relax in Boan Books   Now that we’ve seen enough of the books on display, there’s something that caught my eye just over here. This is the passageway to the Boan Inn. It’s actually off-limits right now due to exhibition preparations, but I got special permission to show you all around. I’m entering the top secret passageway.   Shall we set off on a journey to the past?   Joining old to new, Boan1942 straddles the line between the past and the present by connecting these two buildings. The old wing, which is currently being used as a gallery, preserves the look of the Boan Inn exactly as it was eighty years ago. A hangout for the writers of the time, and the birthplace of a diverse array of Korean literary works.    I’d like to tell you something special about this place. This Boan Inn appears in a book by the famous Korean poet, So Chong-ju.   “In the fall of 1936, Ham Hyung-soo and I came to cook up a literary magazine called The Poet’s Village (Shi’in Burak) with the likes of Kim Dongri, Kim Daljin, and O Jang-hwan while staying at a place called the Boan Inn in Tongui-dong.”   - Excerpted from So Chong-ju’s autobiography, The Affection of the World (Cheonjiyoo.jeong)   Apparently, a bunch of poets came together here to publish a literary magazine as well.    The Poet’s Village, a literary magazine co-founded by So Chong-ju and his poetic contemporaries.     So this Boan Inn is a place with a lot of historical significance. OK?    Transformed from the Boan Inn, safe haven for outsiders and writing room of the literati, to Boan Books, a historical space offering a glimpse into the past as well as the consolation and emotional resonance literature provides.   I’m not a writer, but I do think coming here has made me a more empathetic person. I’ve learned what sorts of things the writers of the time thought and worried about, and leveled up my interest in Korean literature at the same time.   Literature is something that lets you vividly encounter the culture and zeitgeist of a nation even without going there to experience it firsthand. I hope you can all come to know the beauty and unique charm of Korea through its literature as well, even without visiting it for yourself. Then, everyone, see you next Place!   Translated by Jean Kim

  by Korean Literature Now