Popular Korean, U.K. Authors to Co-Write Novel

The bestselling pop philosopher Alain de Botton is to co-author a novel with Jeong I-hyeon, a Korean writer popular among the younger generation. It is to deal with the themes of love and marriage.

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Having signed a publishing contract with Munhakdongne here in January, they plan to complete a draft by August and finish writing early next year. The title will be decided once they finish writing.

A graduate of Cambridge University, De Botton has written several bestselling books based around snippets from famous philosophers. He has gained a large fan base in Korea with books like "The Art of Travel" and "A Week at the Airport". In 2003 he was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres medal, one of the France's highest artistic honors.

Relay writing was initially discussed, with the two authors each writing chapters inspired by classics like "Madame Bovary" and "Anna Karenina". But now other options are also being considered, including each writing a novella for mutual review.

The book will first be published here before a decision is made whether to sell it in Europe as well. "I hope readers will find the work interesting as they will discover similarities and differences between the perspectives on love of a Western man and an Asian woman", Jeong said.