When it comes to fiction, 2023 was a year that defied my expectations. Those novels that I hoped or expected to enjoy turned out to be disappointments; those that I thought might be heavy going turned out to be enjoyable. It was a reminder to try better to abide by the maxim of approaching a … [Read More]
Author: Cheon Myeong-kwan (천명관 1964-)
Selected publications by Cheon Myeong-kwan
- Whale (고래, 2004) tr Kim Chi-young, Europa Editions 2023
- Modern Family (고령화 가족, 2010) tr Park Kyoung-lee, White Pine Press 2015
- Homecoming (K-Fiction 008) (퇴근) tr Miseli Jeon, Asia Publishers 2015
Korean Culture Month: Cheon Myeong-kwan talks to Martin Colthorpe
In celebration of Korean Culture Month at Foyles Charing Cross Road, we are delighted to welcome Cheon Myeong-kwan via video-link from Korea for an interview with Martin Colthorpe about his International Booker Prize-shortlisted novel Whale. Originally published in Korean in 2004, Whale secured Cheon the prestigious Korea New Writer Award and, with a place on … [Read More]
Book review: Cheon Myeong-kwan — Whale
The Man Booker International Prize started in its current annual form in 2016 and was famously won that year by Han Kang and Deborah Smith with The Vegetarian. Since then, hopes of a Korean repeat success have been kept alive with titles in the longlist (At Dusk (2019), Love in the Big City (2022)) and … [Read More]
May Literature Night special: book talk with Cheon Myeong-kwan
Cheon Myeong-kwan, author of Whale, is a Korean novelist, screenwriter and director whose work has been translated into eight languages. Set in a remote Korean village, Whale follows three mythical characters with interlinked lives: Geumbok, who has been chasing an indescribable thrill ever since she first saw a whale crest in the ocean; her mute daughter, Chunhui, who … [Read More]
London Korean Film Festival 2022: the detailed schedule
Here’s your at-a-glance no-clicks-required version of the detailed schedule for this year’s London Korean Film Festival: Time Title Strand RSC = Regent Street Cinema | ICA = Institute of Contemporary Arts | PHC = Picturehouse Central | GC = Garden Cinema | CL = Ciné Lumière | Gen = Genesis Cinema | Rio = Rio … [Read More]
Kim Un-su interviewed in Korea Times
Anna Jiwon Park has a good interview with Kim Un-su (author of The Plotters, among other things) in the Korea Times this week. It’s a nice leisurely two-page read for the Weekender section, clocking in at 3,000 words. Park has an engaging conversation with him, and makes an interesting observation: His books not only have … [Read More]
Book review: Cheon Myeong-kwan — Modern Family
Cheon Myeong-kwan: Modern Family Translated by Kyoung-lee Park White Pine Press Korean Voices Series, 2015 Originally published as 고령화 가족 by Munhakdongne Publishing Corp, 2010 The KCC has been running its Korean Literature Nights for more than two years now. The discussion group has an enthusiastic and regular following, to the extent that seats have … [Read More]
Event news: an evening with Korean authors Han Yujoo and Cheon Myeong-kwan
Cheon Myeong-Kwan and Han Yujoo are being made to work hard during their visit to London in support of the special Korea issue of the Asia Literary Review. Asia House on 10 May (with Deborah Smith), SOAS on 12 May (again with Deborah Smith), and KCC on 13 May (with Kelly Falconer): Korean Literature Night: … [Read More]
Event news: K-Lit in the age of Korean Cool
For those who are lucky enough to get to the Korean Literature Night at the KCC this month, the author of the featured book will be at Asia House a couple of weeks later: K-Lit in the age of Korean Cool 10 May, 2016, 18:45 – 20:30 Asia House | Book here Hallyu – the … [Read More]
KCC’s April Korean Literature Night features Cheon Myung-kwan’s Modern Family
Cheon Myung-kwan is definitely author of the month – he’s appearing at Asia House in May as well as being the subject of this month’s Korean Literature Night. The novel was made into the movie Boomerang Family by director Song Hae-sung, which was the closing gala screening of the 2013 London Korean Film Festival. Korean … [Read More]
SOAS Centre of Korean Studies early 2016 seminars
SOAS’s Centre of Korean Studies has announced its seminar programme for the first few months of 2016: Date Speaker Topic 22 Jan Professor Hazel Smith North Korea: Markets and Military Rule 29 Jan Dr. Janet Poole Picturing a Moment: The Photograph and the Newspaper in Early Colonial Korea 5 Feb Patrick Messerlin, Jimmyn Parc The … [Read More]