The KCC’s monthly literature discussions restart in February with Un-su Kim’s debut novel The Cabinet. It has quite a different flavour from his Plotters, which was the first to make it into English, but shares its inventiveness and pace. The Cabinet Discussion: Wednesday 23 February 2022, 12 noon Apply by 4 February Full details – … [Read More]
Category: Translated Korean literature
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: Kim Bo-young – On the Origin of Species and other stories
After the mild disappointment that was the audiobook of Kim Bo-young’s I’m Waiting for You (let down by the somewhat unwieldy story The Prophet of Corruption) it was with a slight sense of wariness that I embarked upon the Kaya collection of her short stories On the Origin of Species. I was also cautious because … [Read More]
Review: Kim Bo-young – I’m Waiting for You, and other stories
Genuine question: what was the first work of translated Korean fiction to be released as an audiobook? I don’t know the answer to that one. Browsing the Audible catalogue is not easy, but I suspect Penguin wins the prize. Two popular titles published by Penguin – Kim Ji-young, born 1982 and The Hen who dreamed … [Read More]
Love in the Big City: Sang Young Park in conversation with Anton Hur
November’s literature discussion again features a book which is very hot off the press: Love in the Big City Wednesday 24th November 12:00noon-1:30pm via Zoom The author Sang Young Park and the moderator Anton Hur will join us for a live virtual talk about the novel Love in the Big City. Following the talk, Sang … [Read More]
Book review: Kwon Yeo-sun – Lemon
Someone, somewhere, must have done a study of multi-person narratives in Korean fiction – novels which tell the same story (or different episodes involving the same characters) from two or more different perspectives. Two of the best-loved Korean novels in translation use the technique: Please Look After Mother and The Vegetarian. And this year, we’ve … [Read More]
Hysteria: Kim Yideum in conversation with Steven J. Fowler
September’s literature discussion at the KCC looks at Kim Yideum’s award-winning poetry collection: Hysteria By Kim Yideum, translated by Jake Levine, Soeun Seo, Hedgie Choi Wednesday 29 September 12:00PM-1:30PM (UK time) via Zoom Apply to [email protected] with your name and contact details by 15th September 2021 The event is free of charge. The first thirty … [Read More]
Umma’s Table: Yeon-sik Hong in conversation with Paul Gravett
For the KCC’s August literature event, cartoonist Yeon-sik Hong and the Comics curator Paul Gravett will join for a live virtual talk about Umma’s table. Following the talk, Yeon-sik Hong will respond to questions from the audience. Umma’s Table by Yeon-sik Hong, translated by Janet Hong Yeon-sik Hong in conversation with Comics curator Paul Gravett … [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]
Grass: Keum Suk Gendry-Kim in conversation with Janet Hong
July’s literature event organised by the KCCUK features a well-received graphic novel. Author Keum Suk Gendry-Kim and translator Janet Hong will give a live virtual talk about her novel ‘Grass’. Following the talk, author Kim will respond to questions from the audience. Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, translated by Janet Hong Wednesday 28 July 2021 … [Read More]
Two recent resources on Korean literature in translation
First, very hot off the press — uploaded to the Taylor & Francis website yesterday — is the Translation Review Korea special. As with most academic publications, this title is phenomenally expensive, so best to consult it via your university library online resources. Here’s the table of contents: Introduction: They Like to Sing and Dance … [Read More]
I’m Waiting For You: Kim Bo-Young in conversation with Sophie Bowman and Sung Ryu
This is the third speculative fiction title to be featured at a KCC literature event this year: I’m Waiting For You by Kim Bo-Young, translated by Sophie Bowman and Sung Ryu Wednesday 23rd June 2021 12:00 noon – 1:30pm Registration required by 8 June In the title story, an engaged couple working in distant corners … [Read More]
To the Warm Horizon: Choi Jin-young in conversation with Soje
May’s literature event in partnership with the KCC celebrates Honford Star’s latest Korean translation: To the Warm Horizon by Choi Jin-young, translated by Soje Wednesday 26th May 12:30PM-2PM @ Honford Star Youtube Channel Apply to [email protected] with your name and contact details by 15th May 2021. The event is free of charge. The first thirty … [Read More]
Book review: Kim Soom – One Left
When the issue of comfort women has been with us since the Pacific War, to re-emerge in 1991 when Kim Haksun came forward as the first to announce herself as victim, it is astonishing that we had to wait until 2016 for what is, according to Bonnie Oh’s introduction (p ix), “the first Korean novel … [Read More]
Yi Sang: Selected Works – Jack Jung in conversation with Steven J Fowler
April’s literature event at the KCC looks at last year’s translation of selected works of Yi Sang. I personally find Yi pretty hard going, so I’m hoping this session will give me a way of looking at his work that will encourage me to give him another go. Yi Sang: Selected Works Wednesday 28th April … [Read More]
Bluebeard’s First Wife: Ha Seong-nan in conversation with Janet Hong
March’s literature event sponsored by the KCC features Ha Seong-nan and her translator Janet Hong. As always, pre-registration is required. Bluebeard’s First Wife Wednesday 24 March 2021 12 noon -1:30pm (GMT) Venue: ZOOM (Online) Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to [email protected] with your name and contact details by 15th March. Disasters, accidents, and deaths … [Read More]