ICF 30th Anniversary Symposium on Korean Literature

"Please Look after Mom" is a best-selling novel by Korean author Shin Kyung-sook. The book, exploring the theme of motherhood, was first printed in Korea in 2009, and became a literary sensation worldwide, after being translated into more than 30 languages.

Advertisement

As recipient of a number of international literary awards, Shin has emerged as a trailblazer for Korean authors trying to make it overseas. Her awards include the prestigious Man Asian Literary Prize, which she won this year, making her the first female writer to earn the acclamation.

[Reporter : Park Ji-won jiwonpark@arirang.co.kr] "With literary successes by Korean writers like Shin, some contemporary Korean authors are catching the attention of readers outside of Korea.
However, the awareness of Korean literature is relatively small compared to the global popularity of Korean pop music and drama".

To promote Korean literature to a wider readership abroad, a symposium was held, on Thursday at Seoul National University, under the theme of enhancing the global competitiveness of Korean literature.
Shin Kyung-sook shared her opinions and views on globalizing Korean literature, as a popular writer herself.


[Interview : Shin Kyung-sook, Author of "Please Look after Mom"] "I didn't expect this popularity at all. But as an author ,it feels freeing to meet global readers transcending the boundaries of Korean language. Also, as Korean culture is introduced to readers outside of Korea through my work, it feels like we have achieved another level of communication".

Currently, young Korean authors like Kim Young-ha are starting to get noticed by global readers. And prominent professors, translators, and publishers are joining the discussion on Korean literature.


[Interview : Michael Roberts, Director of Public Programming
Asia Society ] "Korea's literature has only just recently begun to emerge, and I think that has a lot to do with Korea's emergence as a global economic and political power. And I think we'll see more of this as time goes on".

Experts say Korean literature has its own unique appeal to global readers.


[Interview : Charles Montgomery, Professor
Dongguk University] "If you read this literature, you get a real sense for the history and culture that got Korea here. What Korea went through, what it overcame, and what it achieved. So for me that's the best thing, it's sort of a window into a different culture and different history".

With these professionals' concerted efforts to promote Korean literature globally, Korean literature could begin to reach more readers outside of Korea, and offer fresh insights about humanity to them.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.

Reporter : jiwonpark@arirang.co.kr