Most Popular
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1 in 3 Koreans live alone, family types becoming diverse
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Korea, Japan finance chiefs vow to tame rampant FX market volatility
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US 'incredibly concerned' about suspected NK-Iran military ties
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K-pop group's manager dismissed for setting up spycam in theater dressing room
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K-pop singer lost consciousness after being hit by foul ball, cancels show
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Korean Muslim YouTuber's plan to build mosque in Incheon goes viral
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[Kim Seong-kon] Democracy and the future of South Korea
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Yoon's office denies considering liberal figures for key posts
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Why is Apple Pay struggling to get purchase in Korea?
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Seoul says Fu Bao loan 'not going to happen'
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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
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[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
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[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
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[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
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[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
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[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
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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
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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
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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
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Inaugural Korea Picture Book Award honors Kim Jung-min, Minha
A dark comedy about creature comforts and an exploration of tightrope walking were announced as the winners of the inaugural 2023 Korea Picture Book Award, jointly granted by the Culture Ministry and the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA), on Monday. Kwon Jung-min's fiction piece, "The Disappeared Dinner," and Minha's non-fiction, "A Round of Tightrope Walking," won top honors in their respective categories. "The Disappeared Dinner" (Ch
Dec. 4, 2023
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[New in Korean] 'BU Care Insurance' protects hearts after breakups
"Break Up Care Insurance" By Lee Hee-young Giant Books We have insurance for our bodies, properties, cars and medical expenses, but a new novel asks: why don’t we have insurance for our emotions? Young adult fiction author Lee Hee-young, in her 10th novel, introduces the concept of BU Care Insurance, or breakup care insurance. This insurance involves a breakup consultant who helps clients with their emotional (and at times, physical) well-being and recovery after breakups. The na
Dec. 3, 2023
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[New in Korean] Tribute to mothers, daughters in 'Passing Through Winter'
"Passing Through Winter" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Cho Hae-jin Jakka Publishing Author Cho Hae-jin has unveiled her latest novel, “Passing Through Winter," marking her return to the literary scene after two years. Known for consistently narrating the stories of marginalized individuals, Cho takes readers on yet another poignant journey. The narrative revolves around the protagonist, who, after the heartbreaking loss of her mother to pancreatic cancer, mo
Dec. 3, 2023
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[New in Korean] Bae Myung-hoon weaves political dynamics into sci-fi set in Martian frontiers
"Mars and I" By Bae Myung-hoon Rabbit Hole In Bae Myung-hoon’s latest adventure into the world of science fiction, the red planet Mars takes center stage. The author of the bestselling novels, “Tower,” “Launch Something!” and “Future Past Tense” has been at the vanguard of the science fiction genre in Korea for the past decade amid its growing popularity. In the compilation of short stories titled, "Mars and I," Bae weaves six tales,
Dec. 3, 2023
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Teacher-writer balances dual identities in 'The World to Protect'
“The World to Protect” is a poignant narrative of a Korean language teacher interwoven with the history of South Korea’s labor movement and pressing issues in public education, written by Moon Kyung-min, a 22-year veteran elementary school teacher. "As a teacher and a novelist, this was a story I had with me for a long time. It was the one I could best tell,” said Moon at a recent press conference in Seoul. “The World to Protect” won the 13th Honbul Liter
Dec. 2, 2023
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Ilyon Woo's nonfiction lands on NYT's 10 best books of 2023
Korean American author Ilyon Woo’s nonfiction work has been recognized as one of the New York Times' 10 Best Books of 2023. “Deeply, deeply honored for this recognition from the (New York Times), on the eve of the 175th anniversary of Ellen and William Craft’s heroic escape from slavery,” Woo wrote on her Instagram. "Master Slave Husband Wife" follows the true story of Ellen and William Craft, an enslaved couple in Georgia. In 1848, the couple made a daring
Nov. 30, 2023
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Heritage expert You Hong-june pens new cultural travelogue series
Our entire country is a museum, wrote You Hong-june a professor emeritus of art history at Myongji University, at the very beginning of his 1993 bestseller travelogue series, “My Exploration of Cultural Heritage.” It means every corner of the country is a breathing and living museum of history and culture, said the author. You, who is also the chair of the executive board of the Academy of Korean Studies and former head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, has been at the forefro
Nov. 22, 2023
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S. Korean literary giant Jo Jung-rae embarks on final chapter of his journey as writer
South Korean literary giant Jo Jung-rae said his latest novel, “Golden Paper,” marks the beginning of the ultimate chapter in his literary journey. Reflecting on his extensive career since his debut in 1970, Jo categorized his years so far into two phases: The initial phase of short stories and novellas and the second phase which he dedicated to exploring the country's turbulent history through a number of epics -- “Taebaek Mountain Range,” “Arirang” and
Nov. 21, 2023
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[New in Korean] Historical mystery adventure by writer of 'School Nurse Ahn Eun-young'
"Seol Ja-eun Returns to Geumseong" By Chung Serang Munhakdongne Publishing Chung Serang, the author behind "School Nurse Ahn Eun-young," which was the base for the Netflix series "The School Nurse Files," ventures into the realm of historical mystery adventure with her latest novel, "Seol Ja-eun Returns to Geumseong." The novel marks a shift toward the historical and detective genres for the star writer who previously explored speculative fiction and scien
Nov. 19, 2023
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[New in Korean] Kim Hye-jin of 'Concerning My Daughter' brings housing issue to the fore
"A Heart Wishing for Blessings" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Kim Hye-jin Moonji Publishing In Kim Hye-jin's short story, "Mokhwa Mansion," protagonists Man-ok and Sun-mi share a complex relationship of landlord and tenant, finding themselves in equally precarious situations. They look out for each other, extending neighborly assistance in the beginning. But when things get rough, Man-ok demands that Sun-mi vacate the house as soon as possible. Sun-mi re
Nov. 18, 2023
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[New in Korean] Seven minds share single body in '7-day rotation system'
"A Day of Your Existence" By Park So-young Changbi Publishers In the latest novel by emerging sci-fi writer Park So-young, titled "A Day of Your Existence," readers are transported to a captivating future society. The story unfolds in a world with a "human 7-day rotation system," where seven individuals share a single body -- due to environmental destruction and food scarcity. Within this system, known as “Bodymates,” each person utilizes the shared bo
Nov. 17, 2023