Renowned translator of the International Booker Prize shortlisted novel Cursed Bunny, Anton Hur returns with his debut novel ‘Toward Eternity’. Toward Eternity explores the unexpected consequences of progress, imagining when technology is catching up with biology. It is a thought-provoking novel that challenges the notion of what makes us human—and how love survives even the end … [Read More]
Books and literature
Welcome to LKL’s books and literature section. Here you can find book news and reviews, and listings of events relating to literature.
If you’re new to Korean literature in translation, check out our recommended reading list. Or you can browse our list of reviews of fiction and non-fiction books. Our new Korea Book Database can be found here, and a listing of featured Korean authors here.
You might be interested in our coverage of the 2014 London Book Fair, at which Korea was the guest of honour. Ten Korean authors were flown over to London for the duration. You can find LKL’s reviews and coverage of these and other authors (and their translators) by clicking on the links in our Writers directory which can be found here.
KCC Literature Night: Kang Hwagil’s Another Person, with Clare Richards
KCCUK is delighted to announce an in-person talk with translator Clare Richards about her translated work, Kang Hwa-gil’s novel Another Person. Starting with Jina’s voice, the novel explores different viewpoints, building a full picture of the incident. A riveting and uncompromising campus novel, Another Person is a confronting and timely book exploring the long-lasting consequences of sexism … [Read More]
K-Poetry Melodies, at St James’s Piccadilly
Join us for a night of enchanting Korean poetry and music at St James’s Piccadilly. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Korean culture as talented poets and musicians take the stage to captivate your senses. Whether you’re a poetry enthusiast or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, this event promises to be a memorable … [Read More]
Book talk: The New Seoul Park Jelly Massacre
KCCUK is pleased to announce the forthcoming author talk with Cho Yeeun about her novel ‘The New Seoul Park Jelly Massacre’, published this month. This is an in-person event at the Korean Cultural Centre with the author Cho Yeeun joining via video-link. Join us to discover more about Yeeun’s inspirations and work. Set in a … [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]
Book talk: The Penguin Book of Korean Short Stories
The KCCUK is pleased to announce a talk about the Penguin Book of Korean Short Stories with the editor Bruce Fulton, moderated by Grace Koh. This eclectic, moving and enjoyable collection is the essential introduction to Korean literature. Journeying through Korea’s dramatic twentieth century, from the Japanese occupation and colonial era to the devastating Korean … [Read More]
Author discussion: A Crane Among Wolves
The KCCUK is pleased to announce the forthcoming author talk about the novel A Crane Among Wolves with author June Hur. June Hur, the bestselling author of The Red Palace and The Silence of Bones (LKL review here) crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that feels relevant in today’s world. June’s novels are steeped in Korean … [Read More]
Seeing the world through different eyes: Monica Macias – Black Girl from Pyongyang
If you haven’t yet read Monica Macias’s memoir yet, do give it a try. Having attended her book talk in Richmond library in January this year (marking the launch of the paperback edition) we snapped up a copy and simply devoured it – it’s such an interesting read. Monica has been generous with her time … [Read More]
Black Girl from Pyongyang: paperback launch event
Come along to Richmond Library on 16 January for the launch of the paperback release of Black Girl from Pyongyang by author Monica Macias and co-writer, Becky Branford. This remarkable memoir details the extraordinary true story of a West African girl’s upbringing in North Korea under the guardianship of President Kim Il Sung. Join Monica and her … [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]
Book Talk – Black Girl from Pyongyang
Join author Monica Macias as she explores extraordinary true story of a West African girl’s upbringing in North Korea under the guardianship of President Kim Il Sung in conversation with Jim Hoare. In 1979, aged only seven, Monica Macias was sent from West Africa to the unfamiliar surroundings of North Korea by her father, the … [Read More]
Ghibliotheque’s Film Korea: a highly enjoyable introduction to the world of Korean cinema
Do you remember what it was like when you first discovered Korean film in all its diversity? For me, it was in about 2000. Christmas in August, Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?, Shiri and Lies were among my first DVD orders: a bewildering array of stuff was available, and I wanted to know … [Read More]
The Words Factory: book launch and creative writing sessions
We are pleased to announce an in-person talk about the novel The Word Factory with the author Hyunju Lee. Imagine if all the words were created in a factory located in the universe. Who are the beings working in that factory, and what is the process of creating words? The Words Factory is a short … [Read More]
Black Girl from Pyongyang with Brixton Radical Readers
Join Brixton Library’s Radical Readers to discuss Black Girl from Pyongyang, the extraordinary true story of a West African girl’s upbringing in North Korea under the protection of President Kim Il Sung. In 1979, Monica Macias, aged only seven, was transplanted from West Africa to the unfamiliar surroundings of North Korea. She was sent by … [Read More]
Book talk: Yu Miri’s The End of August
Join bestselling writer Yu Miri and her translator Morgan Giles as they present Yu’s latest novel to be translated into English, The End of August. In 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea, Lee Woo-Cheol is a running prodigy and a contender for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics – but only if he runs under the Japanese flag. Nearly a … [Read More]
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]