[New in Korean] Fantasy novel emerges from psychological autopsy center

"The Girl in a Phone Booth" By Lee Su-yeon Clayhouse Imagine having the ability to hear the last thoughts of those who have left this world. The psychological autopsy center is the backdrop for a touching human fantasy novel that hit the shelves last week. Those left behind by a suicide experience profound grief, guilt and resentment with lingering questions like "why" and "how could this happen." The psychological autopsy center investigates a person's suici

Jan. 28, 2024

[New in Korean] 'Path of Humanity' is like final grains of harvest of life

"Path of Humanity" By Han Seung-won Munhakdongne Publishing Since 1997, Han Seung-won, writer and poet, has been living in his hometown of Jangheung in South Jeolla Province. A winner of numerous literary awards, Han writes daily in his studio. He is best known for the novel "Aje Aje Bara Aje" (1985), which was adapted into a film titled "Come Come Come Upward" featuring the late Kang Soo-youn and Yu In-chon, the current culture minister. At the age of 85, the vet

Jan. 27, 2024

[New in Korean] Bestseller 'Marigold' returns with magical sequel

“Marigold Mind Photo Studio” By Yun Jung-eun Book Romance The "Marigold" series is back with a sequel. In her latest work, author Yun Jung-eun writes, "Life is filled with sadness, yet living is also about finding joy amid the sorrow," as she opens the door to a new story set in the magical village of "Marigold." The enchanting days in Marigold Village continue, with a notable addition: a new photo studio on the first floor of the laundry building. At

Jan. 27, 2024

Poet Kim Hye-soon's 'Phantom Pain Wings' shortlisted for 2 NBCC Awards

The English translation of acclaimed poet Kim Hye-soon's poetry collection, “Phantom Pain Wings,” has been selected as a finalist in two categories -- poetry and translated literature -- at the National Book Critics Circle Awards in the US. “Phantom Pain Wings,” translated by Don Mee Choi, was shortlisted along with four other finalists in the poetry category. Contenders include “All Souls” by Saskia Hamilton, “The Gathering of Bastards” by Ro

Jan. 26, 2024

National Museum of Korean Literature to open in 2026

The Culture Ministry, in partnership with the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation, will establish the National Museum of Korean Literature, in Eunpyeong-gu, northern Seoul. Culture Minister Yu In-chon held a meeting with officials at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Monday, and signed the agreement with SH Corporation, the owner of the museum site. “The museum has long been an aspiration in the literary community,” said Yu. “It is also significant tha

Jan. 22, 2024

Author Lee Geum-yi shortlisted for Hans Christian Andersen Award

Children's book and young adult novelist Lee Geum-yi has made the shortlist for the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award, a prestigious accolade often referred to as the "Nobel Prize" of children's literature. The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) recently announced the shortlist for this year’s award, listing Lee among the six finalists. This is the first time a South Korean novelist has been shortlisted for the literature biennale, which started in 19

Jan. 22, 2024

Seoul book fair organizer, Culture Ministry clash again over book fairs

As interest in Korean literature surges around the world, the publishing industry is actively participating in international book fairs to introduce Korean books. However, ongoing conflict between the publishing sector and the government regarding subsidies is expected to lead to a reduction in the scale of book-related events and their participation this year. Korean Publishers Association Chairman Yoon Chul-ho addressed the press Tuesday at the KPA office in Jongno, central Seoul, emphasizing

Jan. 18, 2024

[New in Korean] Korean winner of US National Award explores the transparent and nonexistent

"Things Transparent and Things Nonexistent" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Kim Yi-deum Munhakdongne Publishing An English translation of Kim Yi-deum's book of poems, “Hysteria” (translated by Jake Levine, Seo So-eun and Hedgie Choi), became the first-ever book to win both the US National Translation Award and the Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize, presented by the American Literary Translators Association in 2020. Since her debut in 2001, Kim has g

Jan. 14, 2024

[New in Korean] Brain-dead husband returns with a new personality

"Nobody in the Mirror" By Hwang Mo-gua Arzak The novel "Nobody in the Mirror" begins with a riveting sentence: "The husband, declared brain dead, returned home today as an entirely different person." Hwang Mo-gwa’s latest science fiction novel delves into the narrative of a wife whose husband, after being declared brain dead, undergoes a brain rehabilitation procedure known as "brain pairing." The story unfolds as the husband returns home, possessing

Jan. 14, 2024

[New in Korean] Eerie yet fantastical dive into dystopian world

"A Town of Sewn Eyes" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Cho Ye-eun Jaeum & Moeum Publishing Known for her creepy yet imaginative novels, Cho Ye-eun takes a compelling plunge into the realm of dystopian fiction with her latest book, "A Town of Sewn Eyes." The collection of three interconnected short stories paints a fantastical picture of a grotesque world grappling with an apocalypse. In the year 2066, 80 percent of the polar ice has melted, causing a rise in

Jan. 13, 2024

S. Korean religious leaders eye UN stage to send out message

A quartet consisting of a Buddhist monk, Protestant pastor, Catholic priest and Won Buddhist cleric aspires to dance its way to the UN like the K-pop sensation BTS did in 2021 to send a message on happiness. “That’s a wild dream,” said the Venerable Sungjin, a Buddhist monk, speaking of the group’s plan for the year at a press conference marking the publication of their first book on Monday in Seoul. The book, “We May Have Different Religions, but Life’s Worri

Jan. 11, 2024

BTS story to be turned into comic book

A comic book narrating the growth of K-pop sensation BTS from trainees to a global pop sensation, as well as their recent transition to enlistment, will be released in the US, according to a news outlet on Friday. According to Reuters, US comic book and graphic novel publisher TidalWave Productions will release a 22-page comic book centered on BTS in its latest edition of the "Fame" series. TidalWave Productions' "Fame" series introduces the life stories of singers, acto

Jan. 5, 2024

[Books News] Korean literary gems shine abroad: Translated books from 2023

Reflecting on the literary landscape of 2023, The Korea Herald explores a selection of translated Korean books that have earned recognition on prestigious lists, or received recommendations from major newspapers. These works stand as a testament to the diverse voices and compelling stories emerging from the vibrant Korean literary scene. Fiction Building on the momentum from the previous year, a Korean novel secured its place as a finalist for the 2023 International Booker Prize, one of the mo

Dec. 31, 2023

[New in Korean] Woman's writing embraces her past and pain

"Seasons Are Short, Memories Last" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Lee Ju-hye Changbi Publishers The story begins with a woman choosing the cathartic path of writing as a means of navigating and overcoming the painful reality that life has thrust upon her. Approaching her 50s, the narrator's world shatters when she discovers that her husband is stalking a female colleague. But her husband says he is not ashamed of his actions because they were sincere. Deeply hurt,

Dec. 17, 2023

[New in Korean] How to survive in society full of violence and abuse

"I'll Have the Night" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By An Bo-yun Munhakdongne Publishing In her latest collection, "I’ll Have the Night,” An Bo-yun explores the theme of school violence in "A Way of Mourning," where the protagonist, Dong-joo, witnesses the death of his school bully, Seung-kyu. Dong-joo has endured relentless bullying from Seung-kyu since elementary school. But when Seung-kyu dies in an abandoned building, Dong-joo, the only

Dec. 17, 2023

[New in Korean] Navigating emotional abyss, Lee Seung-u's 'The Voices' echoes loss in family

"The Voices" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Lee Seung-u Moonji Publishing In Lee Seung-u's award-winning "The Buoyancy of the Heart," featured in his latest short story collection "The Voices," the narrator grapples with an increasing emotional distance from his mother. The mother consistently mistakes her sons’ voices and calls the narrator by his brother’s name every time they talk on the phone, even though the brother passed away

Dec. 16, 2023

[Books News] Author Kwon Yeo-sun gets recognition from peers with 'Seasons of Its Own'

Author Kwon Yeo-sun's “Seasons of Its Own” sits at the top of the annual “Book of the Year from 50 Writers” list recently released by Kyobo Book Center, once again proving Kwon as a writer's writer. The year-end list initiated by Kyobo Book Center, the country's largest bookstore, in 2016 features recommendations from 50 fiction writers who share their favorite books. Each writer can recommend up to five titles. The 2023 list includes releases from November

Dec. 16, 2023

Daesan Foundation to support translation of five foreign literary gems for Korean readers

Bulgarian writer Ivan Vozov's "Under the Yoke," one of the best-known works of classic Bulgarian literature, is among five foreign literary works selected for the 2023 Grants for Translation of World Classics, the Dasan Foundation said Wednesday. The works selected have yet to be released in Korean due to difficulty in translation or lack of commercial interest. “The Torch in My Ear” by Elias Canetti, “Virgin Soil” by Ivan Turgenev, an essay collection from

Dec. 14, 2023

Comedian Yang Se-hyung channels his emotions into poetry in 'Path of the Stars'

Comedian Yang Se-hyung has ventured into the realm of literature with his newly published poetry collection, "Path of the Stars" (Storyseller). Prior to this, he touched the viewers' hearts when he spontaneously composed and recited "Path of the Stars" on the episode of SBS’s variety show "Master in the House” which aired in June 2018. More recently, a video of Yang’s congratulatory verses for fellow comedians' weddings garnered attention on

Dec. 8, 2023

LTI Korea announces winners of 2023 Korea Translation Award

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea announced the winners of the 2023 Korea Translation Award on Wednesday, with four translators clinching the grand prizes this year. This year’s grand prizes were awarded to Kim Hye-gyeong and Jean-Claude de Crescenzo for their French translation of Lee Seung-u’s “Cantant”; Oh Young-a for her Japanese translation of Cho Hae-jin’s “Simple Sincerity”; and Lia Iovenitti for her Italian translation of Kim Hye-jin&

Dec. 6, 2023