I’ve been following Korean literature in translation now for around 25 years. Back in the day, I’d buy everything I could lay my hands on – after all, there wasn’t much of it around, so there wasn’t much financial commitment involved. At the time, most of the literature available was originally written more than thirty … [Read More]
Category: Short fiction
2024 in review part 2 – the books that caught our eye
2024 was a busy year for Korea-related books in English. Over one hundred books from the year made their way into the LKL Korea Book DataBase, and there were many more that didn’t make the cut. As translated Korean literature becomes ever more prominent in our bookstores, 2024 was, of course, the year in which … [Read More]
Two doomed love affairs by Choi Eun-young and Shin Kyung-sook
A parallel review of Shin Kyung-sook’s The Place where the Harmonium Was and Choi Eun-young’s The Summer. Two vivid depictions of the joy and pain of relationships. The Summer is a straightforward and immediately appealing read; The Harmonium is more difficult but nevertheless rewarding. [Read More]
Where to start in Korean translated literature
Note: This article was written in early 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Since then, particularly in 2021, some fantastic translated fiction titles have appeared. We give a round-up of them here. Nevertheless, as of end December 2022 the top ten recommendations below still stand. I do, however, need to edit the choices for … [Read More]
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, … [Read More]
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 … [Read More]
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]
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]
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 … [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]
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]
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]
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]
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 … [Read More]
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 … [Read More]