Anna Jiwon Park has a good interview with Kim Un-su (author of The Plotters, among other things) in the Korea Times this week. It’s a nice leisurely two-page read for the Weekender section, clocking in at 3,000 words. Park has an engaging conversation with him, and makes an interesting observation: His books not only have … [Read More]
Category: Translated Korean literature (page 8)
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 … [Read More]
Brief review: Kim Sagwa – Mina
Kim Sagwa: Mina Translated by Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton Two Lines Press, 2018, 237pp Originally published as 미나, Changbi Publishers, 2008. Hell Joseon has become an increasingly familiar context for contemporary Korean literature. But the novels and stories I can think of all focus on the struggles of the poor or those who are just … [Read More]
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 … [Read More]
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 [email protected] or call 020 7004 2600 with … [Read More]
October literature night: Kim Hye-soon – Autobiography of Death
The Korean Literature Night (KLN) is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. Kim Hye-soon: Autobiography of Death Wednesday 23 October 2019, 7-9pm @ Korean Cultural Centre UK Apply to [email protected] or call 020 7004 2600 with your name and contact details by Monday 30th September … [Read More]
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, … [Read More]
September Literature Night: The Plotters by Kim Un-su
This book took an absolute age to come out in the UK. It’s now here. Will it live up to the hype? Kim Un-su: The Plotters Wednesday 18 September 2019, 7pm @KCCUK Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to [email protected] or call 020 7004 2600 with your name and contact details by Monday 26th August. … [Read More]
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 … [Read More]
July Literature Night: Diary of a Murderer by Kim Young-ha
The Korean Literature Night is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. This month’s book is a good one (LKL review here). Kim Young-ha: Diary of A Murderer Wednesday 31 July 2019, 7pm @KCCUK Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to [email protected] or call 020 7004 … [Read More]
Don Mee Choi and Kim Hyesoon win 2019 Griffin Poetry Prize
Congratulations to Don Mee Choi and Kim Hyesoon for winning the 2019 International Griffin Poetry Prize with Autobiography of Death. In an interesting way of recognising the relationship between the creators of the original text and the translated work, the collection is credited as being “by Don Mee Choi, translated from the Korean written by … [Read More]
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 [email protected] or call 020 7004 2600 with your name and contact details by Sunday 9th June. … [Read More]
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 … [Read More]
Book launch: Korea’s Premier Collection of Classical Literature
A book launch to mark the publication of the first English-language study of Korea’s most important literary collection: Korea’s Premier Collection of Classical Literature: Selections from Sŏ Kŏjŏng’s Tongmunsŏn translated, annotated, and with an introduction by Dr. Xin Wei and Dr. James B. Lewis Where: Haldane Room, Wolfson College, Linton Road, Oxford (tel: +44 (0) 1865 274 … [Read More]
May Literature Night: Endless Blue Sky, by Yi Hyoseok
The Korean Literature Night is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. Yi Hyoseok: Endless Blue Sky Wednesday 29 May 2019, 7pm Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to [email protected] or call 020 7004 2600 with your name and contact details by Sunday 5th May. Or … [Read More]
Kim Hyesoon and Don Mee Choi in National Poetry Library Lates
An evening of poetry from two South Korean poets at the Hayward Gallery: National Poetry Library Lates: May Wednesday 1 May 2019, 8pm Hayward Gallery | Dan Graham Waterloo Sunset Pavilion Approximate run time: 120 mins Tickets £10 + booking fee | Book tickets here Our new series of late-night poetry salons continues with two … [Read More]