In the first of three articles – which have taken far longer than they should have done to write – we look back over the past year of Korean events in London and elsewhere. At this point in the year we always ask ourselves the question as to whether there is any sign of the Korean … [Read More]
Author: Hwang Sok-yong (황석영 1943-)
Selected publications by Hwang Sok-yong
- Mater 2-10 (철도원 삼대, 2020) tr Sora Kim-Russell, Youngjae Josephine Bae, Scribe 2023
- Gwangju Uprising: The Rebellion for Democracy in South Korea tr Slin Jung, Verso 2022
- The Prisoner (수인 1: 경계를 넘다 | 수인 2: 불꽃 속으로, 2017) tr Anton Hur, Sora Kim-Russell, Verso 2021
- At Dusk (해질 무렵, 2015) tr Sora Kim-Russell, Scribe 2018
- Familiar Things (낯익은 세상, 2011) tr Sora Kim-Russell, Scribe 2017
- Princess Bari (바리데기, 2007) tr Sora Kim-Russell, Periscope 2015
- The Shadow of Arms (무기의 그늘, 1985) tr Chun Kyung-ja, Seven Stories Press 2014
- The Road to Sampo (Bi-lingual, Vol 7 – Industrialization) (삼포 가는 길, 1973) tr Kim Uchang, Asia Publishers 2012
- The Old Garden (오래된 정원, 2000) tr Jay Oh, Seven Stories Press 2009
- The Guest (손님, 2001) tr Chun Kyung-ja, Maya West, Seven Stories Press 2005
Short stories in anthologies
- Windfall in:
- The Uninvited Minstrel in:
- Pagoda in:
- Neighbours in:
- A Dream of Good Fortune (되지꿈, 1973) in:
- The Road to Sampo (삼포 가는 길, 1973) in:
Selected titles about Hwang Sok-yong
- Suk Koo Rhee: The Korean War Novel: Rewriting History from the Civil War to the Post-Cold War, Edinburgh University Press 2024
- Youngju Ryu: Writers of the Winter Republic: Literature and Resistance in Park Chung Hee’s Korea, University of Hawai'i Press 2015
2024 in review part 2 – the books that caught our eye
2024 was a busy year for Korea-related books in English. Over one hundred books from the year made their way into the LKL Korea Book DataBase, and there were many more that didn’t make the cut. As translated Korean literature becomes ever more prominent in our bookstores, 2024 was, of course, the year in which … [Read More]
International Booker book talk: Hwang Sok-yong and Mater 2-10
The KCCUK is pleased to announce an in-person talk exploring the novel ‘Mater 2-10’ with the author Hwang Sok-yong and the translators Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae. Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2024, Mater 2-10 is a multi-dimensional epic tale threading three generations of Korean railroad workers. Starting with a laid-off factory worker … [Read More]
A look back at the books we encountered in 2023
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]
Screening: Lee Man-hee’s The Road to Sampo
Korean Film Nights presents director Lee Man-hee’s final film ‘The Road to Sampo’ (1975). This film was digitally restored in 4K in 2021. The original film used for the restoration was the 35mm original negative film and the 17.5mm sound negative film both of which were collected in 1982. This event will be moderated by … [Read More]
March Korean Literature Night: The Road to Sampo
This March we will read the novel ‘The Road to Sampo’ by Hwang Sok-yong. This month will also feature a special discussion Zoom event, with all participants able to turn on the camera, speak, and discuss the work during the talk. Prof. Jieun Kiaer (Associate Professor of Korean Language and Linguistics, University of Oxford) will … [Read More]
Non-fiction titles expected in 2022: LKL’s picks
In previous years this post has been, to a greater or lesser extent, a list of every non-fiction title I could find that was going to be hitting the bookshops in the coming year. As the LKL Korea Book Database has grown in size, including its stock of future publications, there are now far too … [Read More]
A look back at our 2021 reading diary
Looking back at this year, it’s been one of the best for new translations of Korean literature that I can remember. There have been at least ten new fiction titles, and unusually for me I managed to get through all the titles I was intending to. All of them are recommendable in their different ways. … [Read More]
Review: Hwang Sok-yong – The Prisoner
How to review the autobiography of one of Korean’s leading novelists, who has won accclaim both sides of the border; who has spent five years in prison as well as being a person of interest to the authorities for much of his professional career? The memoir makes for fascinating reading as literary history: most of … [Read More]
2021 UCLan IKSU Korean Literature Review Contest
A great choice of titles for you to review for the 2021 Korean Literature Review content: 2021 UCLan IKSU Korean Literature Review Contest The International Institute of Korean Studies (IKSU) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is hosting the “2021 Korean Literature Review Contest” in the UK. Korean Literature Review Contest is a new … [Read More]
Eighteen non-fiction titles we’re hoping to enjoy this year [updated]
![Thumbnail for post: Eighteen non-fiction titles we’re hoping to enjoy this year [updated]](https://i0.wp.com/londonkoreanlinks.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/non-fiction.jpg?resize=120%2C120&ssl=1)
Here are some of the books we’re looking forward to in 2021. For the first time in one of these posts we’re flagging the indicative cost of the titles listed here. For me, I have a psychological barrier at around £30: a book has to be offering something pretty special for me to be prepared … [Read More]
Where to start in Korean literature – the skinny version
My somewhat meaty post on Monday was prompted by a request for recommendations from a new acquaintance who knew of my Korean interests. He initially asked for three recommendations, which I found completely impossible – hence Monday’s list of ten authors, with a favoured title by each, plus ten additional titles. But now, having thought … [Read More]
Where to start in Korean translated literature
Note: This article was written in early 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Since then, particularly in 2021, some fantastic translated fiction titles have appeared. We give a round-up of them here. Nevertheless, as of end December 2022 the top ten recommendations below still stand. I do, however, need to edit the choices for … [Read More]
Book review: Hwang Sok-yong – At Dusk
Hwang Sok-yong: At Dusk Translated by Sora Kim-Russell Scribe, 2018, 188pp Originally published as 해질 무렵, Munhakdongne, 2015 What a relief it is when a novel is both thought-provoking and a pleasure to read. Hwang Sok-yong’s At Dusk made me look forward to my daily commute (pretty much the only time I get to read). … [Read More]
March literature night: At Dusk, by Hwang Sok-yong
The Korean Literature Night is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. The second literature night of 2019 looks at Sora Kim-Russell’s translation of Hwang Sok-yong’s latest: Hwang Sok-yong: At Dusk 27 March, 19.00-21.00 @KCCUK Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to [email protected] or call 020 … [Read More]
May Literature Night: Hwang Sok-yong’s The Old Garden
Continuing the KCC’s season of screen adaptations of Korean novels. May Literature Night: Hwang Sok-yong’s The Old Garden 30 May 2018, 19.00-21.00 Venue: Korean Cultural Centre UK Entrance Free – Booking Essential. Apply to [email protected] or call 020 7004 2600 with your name and contact details by Thursday 10th May. The booking system utilises a … [Read More]