[New in Korean] Lee Geum-yi looks into reality through ‘Deleted Scenes’

"Deleted Scenes" By Lee Geum-yi Munhakdongne Publishing Social media has deeply embedded itself into people’s lives. We find ourselves selecting and editing the best photos, anxiously refreshing our account pages while waiting for comments and likes. The trend is apparently influencing teens as they grow up. Children’s literature writer Lee Geum-yi is back with a new full-length young adult novel, “Deleted Scenes,” that delves into the world of social media with

June 30, 2023

[Herald Interview] Korea's favorite French writer Bernard Werber says he has achieved his goal as a writer

French science fiction writer Bernard Werber has returned to Korea for the ninth time, marking the 30th anniversary of the first publication of the Korean translation of his debut novel, “Empire of the Ants.” “Visiting Korea has always been a pleasure,” said Werber during a press conference held in Seoul on Wednesday. “I think Korean readers are very future-oriented, and the success of my books is thanks to them.” The French writer expressed his gratitude to K

June 29, 2023

[Reading Korea Through Books] SayNo's advice inspires with candid, realistic message

SayNo, a won billionaire whose real name is unknown to the public, has seen his book, "The Lessons of SayNo," (translated) top the Yes24 and Kyobo Book Center charts for a whopping 15 weeks since its release on March 2. There are several interesting facts to note about this book: Although it was published earlier this year, much of its contents are nearly two decades old. The author is not receiving any payment or royalties for the book. The book is 734-pages long but costs only 7,20

June 29, 2023

Picture book artist Baek Hee-na's magical worlds come to life

Tong Tong from "Magic Candies" jumps into the real world at acclaimed picture book artist Baek Hee-na's first solo exhibition, which opened Thursday at Seoul Arts Center's Hangaram Art Museum. Baek, who has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2020 -- the highest international honor in children's literature -- captivates readers with her imaginative storytelling and meticulously crafted visual worlds. "It feels like I have

June 25, 2023

[New in Korean] Navigating uncertainty, vulnerability and resilience of young individuals

"Young Geunhee's Parade" By Lee Seo-su EunHaengNaMu Publishing The cast of characters introduced in Lee Seo-su’s collection of short stories comprises vulnerable and anxious young individuals who embody the sense of uncertainty and fragility hanging over today's younger generation. The award-winning short story “Mi-jo’s Era" centers on Soo-young, an assistant writer working on adult webtoons. Struggling under immense stress, she develops alopecia, a con

June 24, 2023

[New in Korean] Bestselling author Kim Jin-myung explores enigmatic world of 'pungsu'

"Pungsu War" (working title) By Kim Jin-myung Eta Books Bestselling author Kim Jin-myung, known for the historical epic series “Goguryeo,” has turned his attention to the unique culture of “pungsu,” or geomancy. The novel encompasses the significance and value of pungsu, which cannot be fully explained using scientific language, while shedding light on forgotten historical events. Starting with the question of whether a future can exist without the past, the aut

June 24, 2023

[New in Korean] Zombie webtoon spinoff fills gap between 'Train to Busan,' 'Peninsula'

"Peninsula Prequel 631" Story by Yeon Sang-ho Munhakdongne Publishing South Korean zombie apocalypse film “Train to Busan” (2016), directed by Yeon Sang-ho and starring Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Don Lee and Choi Woo-shik, sold over 10 million cinema tickets in Korea, reigniting the zombie fad in the entertainment scene. Its sequel, “Peninsula” (2020), featuring Gang Dong-won and Lee Jung-hyun, also attracted much attention from zombie fans. In “Peninsula,&rdqu

June 23, 2023

Booker shortlisted Cheon Myeong-kwan of 'Whale' says 'failure' shaped his novel

South Korean novelist Cheon Myeong-kwan has gained a global reputation as a writer when his novel “Whale” was shortlisted for the 2023 International Booker Prize, but he feels his career and literature have been driven by failures. His first full-length novel, originally published in 2004, winning the 10th Munhak Dongne New Writer Award, gained renewed attention and popularity in Korea after nearly 20 years. Set in a remote village, the adventure-satire novel depicts human desire, ac

June 18, 2023

Oh Jeong-hui removed as book fair ambassador after blacklist protests

The Korean Publishers Association, the organizer of the Seoul International Book Fair, said it has canceled novelist Oh Jeong-hui’s participation in the fair as a promotional ambassador. Oh had been selected as one of the six promotional ambassadors for the country’s biggest book event, which kicked off Wednesday at Coex in Gangnam-gu, southeastern Seoul. The novelist was scheduled to participate in a talk program with five other ambassadors on Sunday. On Wednesday, a group of cultur

June 15, 2023

Seoul International Book Fair brings together writers, publishers and readers

The Seoul International Book Fair, the country’s largest book event, kicked off Wednesday at Coex in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. A total of 530 companies, including 170 foreign companies from 36 countries, are participating in this year's book fair, the first since the complete lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. The number of participating companies nearly tripled compared to last year’s 195 companies from just 15 countries. “The power of culture is truly remarkable. And th

June 14, 2023

[Herald Interview] 'Life of Pi' author Yann Martel says fiction yields deeper understanding of society

Celebrated Canadian author Yann Martel, renowned for his acclaimed international bestseller, “Life of Pi,” which won the Man Booker Prize in 2002, among other prizes, emphasized the importance of reading novels and works of literature. Martel, who is visiting Korea for the first time, as one of the special guests at the Seoul International Book Fair, which runs Wednesday to Sunday, shared his insights, stories on his books, and hints about his upcoming novels. "It's not for

June 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] Singer-songwriter Lee Juck takes readers on poetic exploration of words

Singer-songwriter Lee Juck, is celebrated for his lyrics filled with introspective questions and comforting messages, and for his ability to weave profound, poetic narratives into his songs. Following the publication of his short story collection “Fingerprint Hunter” (2005), picture books “One Day” and “I Will Wait, You Wait for Me,” Lee has recently published his debut essay collection titled “Lee Juck’s Words” (working title), published by

June 12, 2023

Seoul International Book Fair to kick off with theme of 'nonhuman'

The Seoul International Book Fair, the country’s largest book event, will kick off on Wednesday at Coex in Gangnam-gu, southeastern Seoul. Under the theme of “Nonhuman,” the five-day annual book fair aims to break away from anthropocentric perspectives, inviting engagement with and participation of the nonhuman, said the Korean Publishers Association. Talks, exhibitions and events will take place to explore the multiple human-caused crises we find ourselves amidst -- including

June 11, 2023

[New in Korean] Dark fairy tale-like adventure set in underground city

"Forest of Moss" (working title) By Cheon Seon-ran Giant Books With its dark fairy tale-like atmosphere and poignant narrative, the three interconnected stories featured in “Forest of Moss” depict the love, friendship and adventure of six friends set in the near future of mankind, exiled to the underground city after the destruction of Earth. Hope remains despite their current generation merely serving as a “bridge” to sustain civilization for the next. The firs

June 10, 2023

[New in Korean] On struggles of caregiving and family burdens

"The Way We Have Passed the Winter" (working title) By Moon Mi-soon Namu Bench The first full-length novel from the award-winning writer Moon Mi-soon captures the challenges of caregiving and the burdens of tending to sick loved ones. The novel vividly portrays the mental, physical and economic hardships faced by families in this role. The narrative revolves around Myung-joo, a woman in her 50s who dedicates herself to caring for her mother, who suffers from severe dementia. Joon-seong

June 10, 2023

[New in Korean] Memory and insomnia echo through 'Seasons of Its Own'

"Seasons of Its Own" By Kwon Yeo-sun Munhakdongne Publishing Several years ago, Kwon Yeo-sun, residing at a writers’ residence in Wonju, Gangwon Province, overheard a memorable dialogue between a fellow writer and the residence’s security guard. “Where could such a large bug (referring to a deer beetle) possibly come in?” After contemplating for a moment, the security guard said, “Bugs can come in from anywhere.” The exchange amused Kwon so much that

June 9, 2023

Cormac McCarthy and Margaret Atwood nominated for Pak Kyongni Prize

Four international writers, including Cormac McCarthy of the US and Canada's Margaret Atwood, have been nominated for the 12th Pak Kyongni Prize, according to the award’s organizers on Wednesday. Antonio Lobo Antunes from Portugal and Christoph Ransmayr from Austria are the other two foreign nominees. A novelist and retired medical doctor, Antunes has long been considered a strong contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature. He is widely recognized for “The Land at the End of th

June 8, 2023

New book delves into Chun Doo-hwan’s life and legacy

Chun Doo-hwan died on Nov. 23, 2021. “Rather than grieving over the loss of a former leader, there was a shared sense of regret among the people -- a regret for the missed opportunity to bring him the justice he deserved,” novelist Jeong A-eun said at a recent press conference. “Then it dawned on me. This man didn’t pass one or two years after leaving the highest office. He lived a long 33 years. Why didn’t they do something during all those years?” Her endeav

June 6, 2023

[Herald Interview] Keum Suk Gendry-Kim talks about life choices in 'Tomorrow is Another Day'

Celebrated graphic novelist Keum Suk Gendry-Kim has returned with “Tomorrow is Another Day,” a story of a couple grappling with infertility. Garnering global acclaim, her works -- most notably “Grass” (2017) and “The Waiting” (2020) -- have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Harvey Award in 2020 for "Grass." She is the first Korean to have won the prestigious award. Gendry-Kim's latest work centers on Bada, a 34-year-old cartoon

June 6, 2023

Quarterly Changbi remains committed to print publication

Changbi Publishers, a leading publisher, marked a milestone with the release of the 200th issue of the Quarterly Changbi, its highly regarded quarterly magazine of literature, critique and discourse. Lee Nam-ju, the editor-in-chief, summarized the magazine’s motto as “beopgochangsin” which can be translated as “to create something new by taking inspiration from the old.” “We will continue to adhere to our original direction while adapting to the changes in the

May 30, 2023