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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
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
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
Book for You

[Book for You] What should I do to increase my courage and confidence?

You Hee-kyoung(You): Hello. This is Book for You from KLN. I’m your host, Yoo Hee-kyoung, a poet. Sohn Jeong-seung(Sohn): I’m Sohn Jeong-seung, director of Thanks Books. You: Do people tell you you seem confident? Sohn: Yes, sometimes. You: Wow. Sohn: I’m the type to come forward, not on my own but when someone urges me to. You: A confident answer. Why suddenly this talk about confidence? Sohn: That’s the topic of today’s letter. Will you tell us about it? You: Yes, I’ll read the letter for you. Mayang’s letter addressed to ‘Book for You’ I am an introvert with the inhibitions and fear of socializing or public speaking. While dreaming of being a teacher sharing knowledge with students, I don’t have the confidence to be in front of them. What should I do to increase my courage and confidence? You: Confidence is something I also lack. I should leave all the talking to you, the one full of confidence. Sohn: Oh, no. You: First, let me prescribe a book to Mayang. It’s a poetry collection titled Inglorious Black Blood. It was first published in 1995, out of print for a while but back in publication in 2014. One of the major poetry collections from Minumsa, the publisher well known to you for Kim Ji-young, Born 1982. Heo Yeon, the poet, used to want to be a priest, but gave up that dream and became a poet. He had a long career as a newspaper reporter. This is the first of his total of five poetry collections. What I can do to you is not living in this world Not living in this country Not living this era If I had been rainwater to you Would you be alive Alive in the river’s swell Salutations to all that flows without forgetting Even so, the thought that I am butterfly in sunset From "Thought That I Am Butterfly" (translated by Hoyoung Moon) You: The poet was deeply in love with ‘you’ but broke up. The only thing the poet can do for ‘you’ is to be gone, but that’s impossible. What remains is ‘me,’ or ‘hope.’ What Mayang must have, and does have, is hope. Mayang exists as a human being in this world and must be self-protective no matter what happens. There’s a chance this poetry collection will find Mayang. In fact, it is being translated and will be published in English. Hopefully, Mayang will read it someday and have hope. The one thing we can never let go, the thing that makes anything possible, even the butterfly in the sunset, is ‘hope.’ Sohn: As for my impression from the letter, Mayang may not be a teacher yet,but struck me as one. Mayang already has the right mindset and makes me envy her future students. Here is a book that will give Mayang courage: Listen, I’m Speaking, a novel by Jeong Yong-joon. Sohn: The title says it all. “Listen, I’m Speaking!” Might as well have an exclamation mark. You: As in “Attention!” Sohn: Exactly. This book is about Muyeon, a 14-year-old patient of ‘Spring Speech Clinic.’ But Muyeon is not his real name. This clinic’s patients are assigned names after the words they cannot pronounce. You: So, Muyeon can’t pronounce ‘Muyeon’? Sohn: Right. ‘Muyeon’ is the name of his middle school. This clinic has other patients, including a doctor who is called ‘prescription’ because that’s the word he cannot pronounce. Their speech disorders are due to psychological reasons. They try, fail, run away from the curriculum, try again, only to fail again... This is repeated throughout the story. A spoiler alert. Muyeon suddenly becomes... a fluent speaker...is not how the story ends. You: Too bad. Sohn: But hope remains. The story won’t leave you sad at all. You: Even though Muyeon can’t pronounce that word, what remains is hope so it won’t make you sad in the end. Sohn: That’s right. To be fair, public speaking is scary and difficult to anyone. You: It is. Sohn: Let me read some related passages. Normal people stutter, too. They aren’t good speakers, either. Nor do they say everything they want to. Everyone is a stutterer to a certain extent. We’re simply a little worse than others. You will see once you stop stuttering. From Listen, I’m Speaking Sohn: Here is my message for Mayang: She is already fully qualified to be a teacher and all she needs is a little more courage. Teenagers seem to have a special radar. They recognize adults who empathize with them. You: They do! Like a magic eye! Sohn: Exactly. Mayang already has that empathy. I believe that’s enough to be a good teacher. You: We’re all humans, good at something and bad at something else. What matters is whether we do what we can do right now, see where we stand and what more to prepare. Sohn: This was another happy episode of sharing our stories through books. You: We promise to come backwith other books to comfort us. Sohn: Book for You You: Book for You You&Sohn: Bye~

by Korean Literature Now
Book for You

[Book for You] I hope to find courage to achieve my dream.

You Hee-kyoung(You) : Hello! This is Book for You from KLN. I am your host, You Hee-kyoung, a poet. Today, we have a special new book prescriber. Please introduce yourself. Sohn Jeong-seung(Sohn): Hello. I am Sohn Jeong-seung, your new book prescriber and the director of Thanks Books. You: How are you doing these days? Sohn: It’s New Year. I am setting new goals and plans, preparing for a new beginning. You: Today’s episode, based on a letter from the Philippines, is also about the future and resolutions. Sohn: That’s right. You: Will you read the letter for us? Lyka’s letter addressed to Book for You I am looking for a job as a certified librarian, a dream come true. But my real dream is to open a coffee shop with a small library in it, where customers could relax while browsing my collection. This is an exciting dream, but I wonder, not even having a job yet, when I will have enough money saved to make it come true. I hope to find courage through your book prescription. You: Running such a shop ourselves, we know its reality. Lyka is pursuing a risky business... Your book prescription for her? Sohn: First, congratulations to Lyka for becoming a librarian. You: Congratulations! She passed the difficult exam! Sohn: Indeed. She has worked hard and is excited and worried about her future. The first book that came to mind is this: Street Painter, written and illustrated by Soo Shin Ji. The bestselling author of Gone and Daughter-in-Law based this book on her art college years. The main character Arang, a senior paint student, becomes a part-time street painter, along with four middle-aged male artists, painting caricatures at a park. Arang does not falter but finds her own way by asking advice from an artist friend or trying to get along with the male artists. You: She’s learning the skills of a street painter! Sohn: Exactly. She and the four male artists start as competitors but end up as good friends and partners. Let me share some passages from this graphic novel. They’re lines, meant to be acted rather than read. You: I happen to be a theater expert! Let me see them. Sohn: You play Cheolsoo, one of the male artists. Arang: Saw the weather forecast? It’s going to rain allweek next week. Cheolsoo: It’s OK. Winter is a slow season, anyway... Whenspring comes… boom! Arang: Really? Wow, I can’t wait! Cheolsoo: When it’s cold and rainy, let’s just practicepainting! From Street Painter Sohn: For me, this refreshing dialogue was an exercise in changing perspectives. The bad weather is something we can complain about forever. They could have done that, too. Instead, they accepted it and moved on. I think that was great. You: I agree. Even when we feel helpless, there are still things we can do to prepare for the future. Although Lyka needs a job right now, it is not a waste of time but a great investment for her future. Sohn: Exactly! When it’s cold and rainy, let’s just practice painting so we can paint a nice rainbow after the rain…! You: Lyka’s letter reminded me of my own bookstore. A library combined with a coffeeshop is called a ‘book café’ in Korea. My own ‘Wit N Cynical,’ which sells books and coffee, is of a similar type. As a firm believer in reading books, determined to save my bookstore, I have many side jobs. That’s exhausting, frustrating, and makes me want to cry, and I do cry sometimes. There’s a poem that gave me courage. Let me read it for you and Lyka. How am I supposed to piece together these brokendreams? How far should I go with a broken backbone? Is there any possibility left? Nevertheless, I am trying to be a believer in the possible, placing my faith in the possibility of the impossible From A Believerin the Possible You: This poem, “A Believer in the Possible,” is from the poetry collection of the same title. It’s by poet Ra Heeduk. With her poems translated into various languages, her name is probably familiar to KLN readers. What drew me to this poem is the word “Nevertheless.” “Something is wrong. Nevertheless, it will get right.” This is the essence of possibility. Lyka! You’re so young and poor now that your dream may seem distant to you. “Nevertheless,” keep on dreaming and trying and someday you’ll have your own library café full of customers. Let’s believe in the value of books and reading and dream the dream together. Someday, I will visit Lyka’s library café in the Philippines for a look around and a cup of coffee. This was another happy episode of sharing our stories through books. Let’s look forward to the next episode. Sohn: Book for You You: Book for You You&Sohn: Bye~

by Korean Literature Now
Book for You

[Book for You] Can you recommend books about adventure, travel or journey?

Jeong Ji Hye(Jeong) : Hello. This is Book for You from KLN. I’m your host, Jeong Ji Hye. You Hee-kyoung(You) : I'm You Hee-kyong, a poet. Jeong : Book for You allows us to communicate with various people from all over the world through books. It is amazing how Korean literature can connect us to the world. You : It is really great how Book for You brings people of all nations and races together with books. Jeong : Today, we have another letter from afar. From where? You : From Romania! Jeong : Please read the letter from Romania for us. Camy’s letter addressed to Book for You I am a Romanian and I have been to Korea in 2013 and 2019. I have a dream of publishing a travel journal about my solo trip from 2019 with all my adventures, photos and sketches. I would like to read books on adventure, travel, and journey. You : This was Camy’s story. Which book would you recommend for her? Jeong : This is the first story collection by Jang Ryujin, Pleasures and Sorrows of Work. My pick for Camy is the last short story from this collection, “Tampere Airport.” The main character of “Tampere Airport” has a dream of producing documentaries. To gain a work experience to add to her resume, she is flying to Dublin, Ireland for a Working Holiday. At a stopover at Tampere Airport in Finland, she runs into an old man. She makes a brief but impressive memory with him. Later, when she comes back to Korea, she receives a picture postcard from the old man. Years pass and the main character isn’t producing documentaries but doing a job at a food company that has nothing do with her dream. One day, she stumbles on the postcard again. This time, she notices that the picture has a stiff piece of paper added to its back and has an instruction written on it: “Do not bend (Photo inside)” This was the old man’s precaution against bending the picture. To me, this message read: “Do not bend; you have a dream inside you.” This was how I interpreted this story. You : Exactly! It gave me goosebumps! Jeong : Like the old man from this story who wanted to protect the photo, I hope that Camy will never bend but protect her dream. I would like to read this story's last sentences to her. I wiped away my tears and took out the biggest notebook and marker I had. And I began writing a reply, which I had kept putting off, in large letters. Dear. From “Tampere Airport” Jeong : Imagine what will happen afterwards. Will the main character go and see aurora in Finland? And will Camy’s wish to publish a travel journal come true? This was my book for her. You : Is this book available in other languages? Jeong : Yes, it is. It’s available in Japanese and Chinese editions. I hope that it will be made available in Romanian and other languages so that Camy and other readers can read it. Do not bend; you have a dream inside you. You : Most poets I know love travel. I think that writing poetry is akin to taking a break from here to visit somewhere else. When I was reading Camy’s story about travel, the first poet that came to mind was Lee Byungryul. Lee is a great poet and essayist. He is also an avid traveler. Perhaps he is travelling Romania right now. The poet is also well known for his travel essays. Camy’s story about how she wants to write her own travel essays inspired me to introduce this poet to her. I think that going on a trip is about being ‘alone,’ being alone to reflect on ourselves and our lives. Here is a poem about how we discover ourselves in the process. Let’s hear it. In the freezing, abandoned midnight, anyone is a complete one, light and soft, with what one has to say forming its body, destined to be alone for long, finally succumbing to eternal permeation One that locks itself up, drinks itself, thereby rising as a range of ice-capped mountains, only to melt down From “Alone” You : This poem is from Snowman Inn. This book of poetry embodies the heart of a traveller of his own life. I suppose that it is a both lofty and lonely heart. I think that being alone, finally realizing who we are, is a theme shared by the story that Camy wants to write. Hopefully, it will be published and translated into other languages so we can read that amazing, interesting, and somewhat melancholic travel journal. This was my book for her. Jeong : I think that Camy will find your book prescription very helpful. Travelling is about finally and truly being alone! Write about that moment of being alone and keep it forever. You : This was another fun, happy episode for me that allowed sharing our stories through books. I look forward to the next episode and the story waiting for us. Jeong : So do I. If you seek some comfort from us, please send your story to the address below. Need a book prescription? Share your story with us at the KLN website (www.kln.or.kr) You : You will be eligible for a chance to win a gift as well as our book prescriptions. Jeong : That’s all for today. Jeong&You : Bye~

by Korean Literature Now
Book for You

[Book for You] Any Korean books to help me become a best parent?

You Hee-kyoung(You) : Hello. This is ‘Book for You’ from KLN. I am your host, You Hee-kyoung, a poet. Jeong Ji Hye(Jeong) : I am Jeong Ji Hye from Sajeokin Bookshop. I heard that our first episode was sensational. It has prompted many letters to us. You : But we can’t stop here. We’ll keep working for Korean literature and for readers waiting for our book prescriptions. Jeong : We’ll start with a letter that arrived today. It’s from Ms. Putri in Indonesia. Let me read it for you. Putri’s letter addressed to Book for You I'm a Korean literature enthusiast. But I have trouble maintaining my hobby as a reader. Finding the time for reading hasn’t been easy since I became pregnant. I am trying to take the time out of my busy schedule to read, especially books on parenting since I am a prospective mother. Can you recommend any Korean books to help a busy and pregnant woman like me become a best parent? Congratulations on your pregnancy, Putri!! You : Even though I have never met Putri, I’m sure that she will be a great mother. Let me tell you why. You : My pick is With the Heart of a Child, a new release in 2022 from Achimdal. As its title suggests, this is a book about children. It contains poems and essays by 13 poets. One of the poets is Cho Hye-eun. She is a mother of two. As all mothers, she hasher share of happiness, frustration, and anger. Her poem ‘Mouse Mask’ shows her feeling angry and sorry when she fails to understand her children. In the morning playground, a boy was digging in the dirt when he saw a mouse running away from him. The mouse disappeared into the drain and the boy started poking the drain to find that mouse and never stopped. I haven’t played long enough. Can I play a little longer, please? By the midday, the happiness that swelled and spread all over the body like hives has subsided Once the streetlamps were lit, It was time to say goodbye to people who shared that moment That isn’t what love is Never The children opened their eyes and cleared the dirt From "Mouse Mask" You : Well, I’m not a parent so I don’t really know how to be a good one. What I know, though, is when a good relationship develops. It is when you listen carefully to what the other person says, and try to understand what it means. As I said earlier, I am convinced that Putri will be a good parent and good guardian because her letter to us shows that she is trying to address some concern. I think that addressing that concern is the beginning of a good relationship. Let us not assume that we understand the heart of a child because we were a child once, but take a moment to reflect and discover what we might have forgotten or have not realized. Think of a child not as an object to protect and teach but as someone to live with Jeong : My pick for Putri, who wishes to be a good parent, is a young adult’s novel by Lee Heeyoung. It’s titled Paint. Jeong : The cover has a sensational catchphrase that reads: “If you could choose your parents, who would you choose?” This story is set in a future society with a low birth rate, where people no longer have as many as babies as before, and children are raised in a state-run childcare center and people are encouraged to adopt them. These children go through a series of processes before they meet their pre-fosters (prospective foster parents). They go through document review, medical checkup, and psychological test... Finally, and most importantly, they go to ‘parents interview.’ You : Oh, is that where the title Paint comes from? Jeong : Exactly! Paint is short for ‘parent interview.’ The children in this state-run childcare center don’t say “I go to a ‘parents interview.’” They say “I go to ‘Pa-Int’ instead. That shortened word ‘Pa-Int,’ or ‘Paint,’ is the title of this novel. I wanted to prescribe this book for Putri’s case because it will allow her to think about what makes a good parent from the perspective of children rather than adults. What is becoming a parent all about? What about preparing to have a baby? Can all those preparations make me a good parent? (…) “Pre-fosters come across as avid readers of books on childcare who finally decide, ‘Well, I think I’m ready for a baby now.’” “…….” “No parent in the world can perfectly prepare themselves in advance.” “…….” “Parent-child relationship is something you create.” From Paint What is becoming a parent all about? What about preparing to have a baby? Can all those preparations make me a good parent? (…) “Pre-fosters come across as avid readers of books on childcare who finally decide, ‘Well, I think I’m ready for a baby now.’” “…….” “No parent in the world can perfectly prepare themselves in advance.” “…….” “Parent-child relationship is something you create.” From Paint Jeong : As I read this passage for Putri, I wanted to convey this message: ‘You don’t become a parent; you’re becoming one.’ I don’t think there is an absolute standard for good, or best parents. I think that such a standard can vary depending on the unique characters and surroundings of children and their parents. So I encourage Putri to read this book and ask herself, “What kind of parent will I be becoming?” You : Is Paint available in other languages? Jeong : Yes, it is! Paint is available in Japanese and Chinese editions. I hope that it will be made available in other languages so that Putri and other readers can read it. You don’t ‘become’ a parent; you’re ‘becoming’ one. You : I hope that this episode has brought comfort to Putri, as well as readers watching our channel. We will see you in the next episode. Jeong : If you seek comfort from us in the form of book prescriptions, send us your story via the address below. Need a book prescription? Share your story with us at the KLN website (www.kln.or.kr). You : You will be eligible for a chance to win a gift as well as our book prescriptions. Jeong : That’s all for today. Jeong&You : Book for you. Bye~ See you again~

by Korean Literature Now
Book for You

[Book for You] I'm not sure if I will be living long term in Korea

Jeong Ji Hye(Jeong): Hello. I am Jeong Ji Hye, and I will be giving book prescriptions under Book for You, KLN’s online program. You Hee-kyoung(You): I am You Hee-kyoung, and I hope to move your hearts with effective prescriptions. Before we proceed, we should briefly introduce the purpose behind Book for You. Jeong: Overseas readers have limited opportunities to get to know Korean literature. Every now and then, KLN is asked to recommend Korean books. Together with the poet You Hee-kyoung, I will introduce to overseas readers a diverse selection of Korean literature. Book for You Hello,I am an American who has been living in Korea on and off since 2010. I have taught English for several years, I got a master’s degree in fine art painting at a university in Korea, and now am working as a translator. I am still not sure if I will be living long term in Korea. While I have read many short stories, lots of poetry,and a few full novels in Korean, I still am fairly new to Korean literature. I am very interested in stories that discuss race and nationality or foreignness. I haven't gotten to read much fiction that was specifically related to these topics, and I believe it could help me to decide if I will stay long term in Korea. You: Shall we begin by prescribing a novel? Jeong: There’s a novelist who came to mind as you read Taylor’s letter. You: Who would that be? Jeong: The writer Cho Hae-jin. Cho served as a Korean language instructor in Poland for a brief period after making her debut, when she was less busy with her writing. She experienced what it was like being a foreigner and a minority. Perhaps this is why the protagonists in her novels are often students studying abroad, migrants, or adoptees. The book I will be prescribing for Taylor is An Escort of Lights, which also has characters who are foreigners. Taylor mentioned in his letter that he is“still not sure,” and that’s what stuck in my mind. In An Escort of Lights, there is a short story titled “A Refusal of Time”. It contains a passage that would be the perfect prescription for Taylor. Let me read it to you. There’s nothing that stays in the body forever. Food, sensations and emotions, the worries that you staked your life over, and the time spent caught up in such worries. Seok-hui believed that the best consolation lay in being honest about how things that have passed would never return. Excerpt from “A Refusal of Time” That’s my prescription for Taylor. I chose it because even the deepest of concerns,circumstances at a certain time, and beliefs that we stood by tend to naturally change over time. The story’s last sentence is as follows. There would be a life to lead over there as well. You can live life anywhere, be it Korea or the United States. My advice for Taylor is to follow his heart, and watch how it plays out. I will cheer you on regardless of the path you choose. The life you will lead is right where you are. Which poem did you pick for today? You: I pondered over which poem would be most comforting for Taylor, and my choice might come across as unexpected. The poet is Saito Mariko. She was born in Niigata in 1960. She fell in love with Korean literature during her college days, especially Yun Dong-Ju’s poetry, and moved to Korea in 1991. Jeong: That’s really early on in time. You: Let me read you part of the poem titled “Photosynthesis”. I hope its underlying message will resonate with Taylor. Here goes. A tree is called “ki” in Japanese and “namu” in Korean. When I first learned the Korean language ten years ago, the word “tree” took root in my heart. For two months since I came to Korea, I wandered around with my head down. When I first looked up in June, the leaves were gently swaying above. I call them “namu,” and the “namu” within me sends its greeting. The leaves I had poured my heart and soul into over the past decade were glistening in the sun. Excerpt from “Photosynthesis” I believe that a seed called “Korea” has been planted in Taylor’s heart. It will grow into a healthy leaf before he even realizes it. Taylor will someday be able to take rest in its shade. That’s why I chose the poem by the translator Saito Mariko, who, in a way, has been in a position similar to Taylor. Now, try to find rest in the tree that has taken root in your heart. It’s already time to say goodbye. How do you feel about our first session? Jeong: I got to know a lovely poem, and it was a meaningful time. How about you? You: I felt a sense of responsibility in my role. Jeong: We will be giving book prescriptions to help resolve your problems, big and small. If you would like a book prescription, share your worries with us. Shall we wrap it up? Jeong & You: Book for You, Book for You. See you next time. Goodbye! Translated by Park Kyoung-lee

by Korean Literature Now
Book for You

[Delve: Answers to Readers’ Queries]

Copyright ⓒ BY.NONAME DELVE to examine in detail In this section, members of our editorial board answer questions about Korean literature culled from an open survey from our readers. Touching upon recent trends, historical antecedents, and literary devices, we hope you enjoy examining some deeper aspects of thoughts readers have had about Korean literature.—Ed. [Delve] How do Korean authors come up with character names? http://www.kln.or.kr/strings/columnsView.do?bbsIdx=719&searchCategory=QA [Delve] Why does Korean lit have a serious and heavy image? http://www.kln.or.kr/strings/columnsView.do?bbsIdx=723&searchCategory=QA [Delve] How do you interpret the growing demand for genre literature? http://www.kln.or.kr/strings/columnsView.do?bbsIdx=724&searchCategory=QA [Delve] Is the “villain” of classical literature really evil? http://www.kln.or.kr/strings/columnsView.do?bbsIdx=725&searchCategory=QA

by Kang Young-sook et al.
Book for You

[Delve] Is the “villain” of classical literature really evil?

In this section, members of our editorial board answer questions about Korean literature culled from an open survey from our readers. Touching upon recent trends, historical antecedents, and literary devices, we hope you enjoy examining some deeper aspects of thoughts readers have had about Korean literature.—Ed. Is the “villain” of classical literature really evil? The plots of the classic novels follow a narrative scheme very similar to that of fairy tales, where scholar Vladimir Propp showed the existence of a common structure to all the cultures of the world. According to this structure there is a “sender” and a “recipient,” a “subject” and an “object,” a “helper” and an “enemy.” This also applies to political and religious ideologies: in Christianity the sender is God and the recipient is humankind. The subject is Jesus Christ and the object is Heaven. The helper is the Church and the enemy is the devil. In Marxism, the sender is History, the receiver is humankind. The subject is the working class, the object is a classless society. The helper is the working class itself; the enemy is the bourgeoisie. A “bad character” (real or imaginary), therefore, is necessary (despite the true nature of the character himself) in order to have a complete plot. In this way, we could say that, in the Tale of Chunhyang (õðúÅîî), the sender is the King, the receiver is Korean society. The subject is Chunhyang, the object is the fulfillment of her love and a free marriage. The helper is Mongryong (Ù”×£) and the enemy is the evil Governor Byeon Hakto (Ü¦ùÊ‘³). Whether Byeon Hakto (if he really existed) was actually evil or not does not matter. The evil character is necessary in order to better bring out the virtues of the protagonist. To give a sensational example, in some versions of the novel Hong Gildong-jeon (ûóÑÎ‘Ûîî), where the protagonist even challenges the very state (and therefore the King), the quoted King (i.e., Hong Gildong’s opponent) is Sejong (á¦ðó), even if history evaluates Sejong to be an excellent king. Maurizio Riotto Philologist, KLN Editorial Board Member

by Maurizio Riotto
Book for You

[Delve] How to interpret the growing demand for genre literature?

In this section, members of our editorial board answer questions about Korean literature culled from an open survey from our readers. Touching upon recent trends, historical antecedents, and literary devices, we hope you enjoy examining some deeper aspects of thoughts readers have had about Korean literature.—Ed. How do you interpret the recent trend where demand for genre literature such as mystery, thrillers, fantasy, SF, and so forth, has been growing significantly? Has the character of the readership changed from the generation before? Has their palette of interests changed? There is certainly growing interest in so-called “genre literature” like mystery, thrillers, and fantasy, and is especially noticeable in SF. This “genre reboot,” if you will, of SF is different because while interest is expanding in writers who employ SF and fantasy-based imagination in their writing, such as Kim Junghyuk, Yun I-hyeong, Gu Byeong-mo, and Chung Serang, it is also shifting to SF-exclusive writers like Kim Choyeop and Kim Bo-young. In light of this phenomenon, one could speak of innovation taking shape in the field of Korean literature, where the hierarchy between “literary fiction” and “genre literature” has been so rigid. But to take this trend of SF becoming more popular as an unprecedented emergence is a groundless claim coming from the prejudice that SF has held little to no territory before. “Genre literature” steadily expanded both its creative and commercial territory throughout the ’90s when cyberspace became popularized and creative licenses became democratized. Instead of saying that “genre literature” had no territory, it would be more accurate to analyze that the boundaries between literary territories used to be much more defined, and more importantly, that there was an intentional critical indifference toward ¡°genre literature¡± for a long time. Interest in genre literature is not new, nor is it uncommon to find imaginative elements of SF in Korean literature. The notion that genre literature is foreign comes from the distorted bias that literature needs only one definition, a way of being that is exclusive and singular. Literature has evolved to democratize reading and writing. It has adapted its ways of manifestation to changes of the time. As it moved on from the era of poetry to the era of novel, literature has clearly made itself more democratic, divorcing itself from elitism. We have yet to see what kind of literature will emerge post-novel, as it answers to further literary democratization. The rising popularity of genre literature is often discussed along with writers who represent the genre, but the debuts of hot writers cannot be the only explanation for the phenomenon. Rather, changes in literary trends reflect fundamental changes in the interest of readers. Surveying the history of literature reveals that there has been a shift from author-focused literature to reader-focused literature. The reader, formerly overlooked, emerges in a privileged position. To narrow the focus even more, since the reboot of feminism and the renewed literary interest in gender issues, the female reader springs to the foreground ever more clearly. This too would be better understood as a more specified outfitting of the already existing readership, rather than an emergence of a completely new one. In this context, popularity for SF as well as popularity for fantasy and thrillers that rippled from it, begs not the question of “Why SF, fantasy, and thrillers,” but the question of “Why SF, fantasy, and thrillers here and now.” This is the only way we can draw accurate connection between the growing demand for SF, the kind of storytelling that predicts and anticipates the future, and the urgency for imaginative narratives that go beyond classist, sexist, racist discrimination and hatred that pervade the here and now. Korean literature now, through genre literatures cross-stitched with concern for feminist issues, suggests new ways of interpreting reality and dreams of possible changes in the present. Translated by Dasom Yang So Young-hyun Literary Critic, KLN Editorial Board Member

by So Young-Hyun
Book for You

[Delve] Why does Korean lit have a serious and heavy image?

In this section, members of our editorial board answer questions about Korean literature culled from an open survey from our readers. Touching upon recent trends, historical antecedents, and literary devices, we hope you enjoy examining some deeper aspects of thoughts readers have had about Korean literature.—Ed. The Korean literature I have come in contact with shows a wide thematic spectrum, but I am curious why it has such a serious and heavy image? Saito Mariko, the Japanese translator of the bestselling Korean novel Kim Ji-young, Born 1982, said that Korean literature once had the image of a “politically correct literature.” Korean literature’s “serious” and “heavy” image is probably related to this “politically correct” image. Obviously, literature is always closely related to the culture and history of its region and linguistic sphere and thus, Korean literature’s image is also inextricably linked to the history and culture of Korea. Any discussion of modern Korea up to the 1980s would be unthinkable without mention of its colonial history, the Korean War, or the fight for democracy. And throughout the course of these histories, Korean literature played a key role in guiding Korean society and its people. Even during times of great suppression of the media and freedom of speech, literature did its best to speak about society through various artistic devices. Of course, the Korean literature of today is incomparably more diverse in its themes and subject matter; it fuses different genres, attempts new experiments, and abounds in an imagination that stretches far beyond reality. But the image and role that has come to be expected of Korean literature cannot be wiped away so easily. Indeed, even now, Korean literature is especially insightful and detailed in its commentary on structural irrationalities and absurdities. The translated works of Korean literature that have found success beyond Korea’s borders also appear to belong to this tradition. On the other hand, the modern people of today are always connected to one another through “new media,” able to engage in light and fast communication. However, overwhelmed by the speed of daily life, people are increasingly fatigued and often do not have the time to reflect. Perhaps what we need then in this modern age is the time to think about serious and heavy things. In this world, we are swept along by a whirlwind of speed and superficiality. But there are still many problems in this world that require us to stop and think seriously. In this way, being serious and heavy might actually be an important virtue in this day and age. Translated by Sean Lin Halbert Kim Mi-jung Literary Critic, KLN Editorial Board Member

by Kim Mi-jung

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Strings

Book for You