As a lot of us are likely to be spending more time at home over the next few weeks, I thought it would be a good opportunity to set out a list of recommendations for Korean literature in translation to keep you entertained while you’re unable to go out much. This was prompted in part […]
Category: Short Stories
Book review: When Adam Opens His Eyes
Jang Jung-il: When Adam Opens His Eyes Translated by Hwang Sun-ae and Horace Jeffery Hodges Dalkey Archive 2013, 126 pp Originally published as 아담이 눈뜰 때, Kimyeongsa, Seoul, 1990 Deleuze, Lacan, Bataille… if you’re reading a text that references any of those thinkers, you’re probably reading a rather turgid book on postcolonial or film studies, […]
What have we been reading in 2019? Here are the highs and lows of our reading diary
I alternate my reading, on no systematic basis, between fiction and non-fiction, trying to maintain a balance between keeping up to date with the most important new publications and working through the guilt pile of past publications that I failed to read when they came out. I don’t have time to read much apart from […]
Brief book review: Suni Samchon
Hyun Ki-young: Suni Samchon Translated by Lee Jung-hi Asia Publishers Bilingual Edition, 2012, 186pp Jeju Island, in Korean literature of the late 70s and 80s, is not the honeymoon destination of more recent years. It was a place of poverty, of bitter memories – a place to escape from rather than a destination to visit […]
Review: Hyun Kil-un – Dead Silence and other stories of the Jeju Massacre
Translated by Hyunsook Kang, Jin-ah Lee and John Michael McGuire Eastbridge Books, 2006, 206 pages On a trip to Jeju Island a few years ago I remember having a slightly tipsy interaction with a Jeju-based journalist and intellectual, as we staggered from 2cha to 3cha via a liquor store. “I don’t like America”, he solemnly […]
Korean Writing Today: Kang Youngsook and Kim Haeyeon
Two Korean authors discuss the Korean literary world at the National Centre for Writing in Norwich, where they are writers in residence this month: Korean Writing Today Tuesday 26 November 2019, 7.30 – 8.30pm National Centre for Writing | Dragon Hall | 115-123 King Street | Norwich NR1 1QE Tickets £5 – includes glass of […]
November literature night: A literary talk with author Kang Young-Sook
The Korean Literature Night (KLN) is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. A literary talk with author Kang Young-Sook Wednesday 27 November 2019, 7-9pm Korean Cultural Centre UK Available Seats: 33 Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to info@kccuk.org.uk or call 020 7004 2600 with […]
Bae Suah in conversation at Foyles
Phillip Kim will be chairing a conversation with Bae Suah as part of Foyles Korean Culture Month 2019. Bae Suah in conversation Friday 25 October 2019, 19:00 – 21:00 Level 6 | Foyles | 107 Charing Cross Road | London WC2H 0DT Tickets: £5 Standard | Book tickets We’re incredibly excited to welcome Bae Suah, […]
August Literature Night: a talk with author Kim Kyung-Uk
The Korean Literature Night (KLN) is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. August’s texts are ‘God Has No grandchildren’ and ‘Spray’ by Kim Kyung-Uk, and the discussion will benefit from the presence of the author himself. The latter story is available online, while the latter […]
June Literature Night: Sweet Potato by Kim Tongin
The KCC’s Korean Literature Night is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book: Kim Tongin: Sweet Potato Wednesday 26 June 2019, 7pm @KCCUK Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to info@kccuk.org.uk or call 020 7004 2600 with your name and contact details by Sunday 9th June. […]
Book review: Kim Young-ha – Diary of a Murderer
Kim Young-ha: Diary of a Murderer and other stories Translated by Krys Lee Mariner Books, 2019, 200pp Originally published as 살인자의 기억법, Munhakdongne, 2013 Somewhat rashly, I approach Kim Young-ha’s novels with a keen sense of anticipation, particularly when translated by Krys Lee. Rashly, because with high expectations you usually set yourself up for a […]
Korea: Divisions and Borders – Wasafiri Special Issue 96 Launch
Thursday 21 February 2019, 18:30 – 21:00 GMT Korean Cultural Centre UK | Grand Buildings | 1-3 Strand | London WC2N 5BW Register via EventBrite South Korea’s transformation as a country over the past sixty years has been nothing short of astonishing, and the nation now ranks amongst the world’s most advanced societies and largest […]
Upcoming literature and fiction titles for 2019
Here’s my first attempt at compiling a list of fiction and poetry titles coming up in 2019. Let me know what I’ve missed. Unlike my separate list of non-fiction I have not exercised any editorial control here: this is everything I have been able to find. The list is in four parts: Modern and contemporary […]
A look back at the 2018 literary year
A look back at the books and literary events of the year – and a summary of my reading diary. Literature in translation In translated fiction, my reading this year has not managed anywhere near to keep pace with the amount of translations being published. I know I said the same in respect of 2017 […]
August literature night: Eun Hee-kyung’s Beauty Looks Down On Me
August’s literature night features a short story collection by Eun Hee-kyung, published last year by Dalkey Archive: Eun Hee-kyung: Beauty Looks Down on Me 29 August, 19.00-21.00 Venue: Korean Cultural Centre UK Entrance Free – Booking Essential. Apply to info@kccuk.org.uk or call 020 7004 2600 with your name and contact details by Friday 10th August. […]
Kim Aeran’s visit to London
At the end of June Kim Aeran was in town, courtesy of the Asia Literary Review and the Literary Translation institute of Korea, to meet the finalists of the 2018 essay contest in which readers were given free rein to write about one or all of three of her works: two short stories: A Dignified […]
June Literature Night: A conversation with Kim Aeran
June’s literature night is a special event: a discussion with Kim Aeran about the texts set for the recent essay contest, and the announcement of the winner. A discussion with author Kim Aeran Wednesday 27 June, 18:00-20:45 Venue: Korean Cultural Centre UK Entrance Free – Booking Essential. Apply to info@kccuk.org.uk or call 020 7004 2600 […]