Editor: Immanuel Kim and Benoit Berthelier
Author: Ch'oe Songjin, Chong Ch'angyun, Han Ungbin, Kang Kwimi, Kang Pongnye, Kang Songyu, Kim Chong, Kim Hyesong, Kim Myongjin, Paek Nam-nyong
Translated by: Benoit Berthelier, Immanuel Kim
Publisher: Anthem Press, 2025
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Hidden Heroes is a collection of short stories from the 1980s to present that unveil the lives of ordinary North Koreans. Through themes of identity, community, and power, it reveals a complex society, offering readers a nuanced understanding beyond prevailing stereotypes
Hidden Heroes offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of ordinary North Koreans through a collection of short stories by renowned DPRK authors. Spanning from the 1980s to the present, these works explore the theme of the “hidden hero,” a popular moniker in the DPRK to describe the average citizen who navigates the complexities of daily life with quiet dedication for their work and country.
The anthology is divided into three thematic sections—Identities, Communities, and Power—showcasing a diverse array of characters and settings. Readers will encounter factory managers juggling work and family responsibilities, neighbors bonding during friendly outings, university deans resisting corruption, and diasporic Koreans in Japan grappling with questions of belonging. Through these relatable human experiences, the stories challenge simplistic notions of North Korean society and reveal a more nuanced reality.
While elements of propaganda and state ideology are present, as is typical in all officially sanctioned DPRK literature, the focus in the text is rather on the personal struggles, relationships, and aspirations of the characters. By highlighting these universal themes, Hidden Heroes invites readers to look beyond geopolitical tensions and connect with the shared humanity of North Koreans. For anyone seeking to expand their understanding of this often-misunderstood country, this anthology provides an engaging and thought-provoking literary journey into the everyday lives of North Korean citizens.
Contents
- Translation Source
- Introduction: (Re)presenting North Korean Fiction
IDENTITIES
- Kim Hyesong: The Key (2004)
- Kang Pongnye: A Day in the Life of a Female Manager (1992)
- Kim Myongjin: Face (2009)
COMMUNITIES
- Ch’oe Songjin: Neighbours (1991)
- Han Ungbin: Hoping for Luck to Strike (1993)
- Kim Chong: Seventeen People’s Laughter (1989)
- Kang Kwimi: The Actor’s Last Class (2005)
POWER
- Paek Namnyong: Life (1985)
- Chong Ch’angyun: Spring Evening (1985)
- Kang Songyu: The Life Expectancy Chart (2000)
Bibliography
Index
Source: publisher’s website