Foreign readers inspire Shin to write next works

By Chung Ah-young

After touring other countries to promote her landmark hit novel “Please Look After Mom” over the last four months, celebrated author Shin Kyung-sook said that foreign readers she met have inspired her to write more.

“I didn’t think of foreign readers until my book was printed in English. But now after meeting my fans in other countries, I feel foreign readers have given me a strong energy for my next works,” Shin said at a press conference on Monday.

The 48-year-old returned to Korea on Aug. 25 after a four-month tour to seven cities in North America and eight in Europe to meet fans as the publication right of “Please Look After Mom” has been sold to 28 countries.

First published in her native language by Changbi Publisher in November 2008, the novel sold more than 1.8 million copies in Korea.

Since the English edition of the book first appeared in the United States on April 5, the novel has drawn a worldwide response for its universal value of family love and maternal devotion.

Her book was selected as one of the top 10 by editors for the Best of 2011 So Far on Amazon and its eighth edition has been published in the U.S., a rare case for Korean novels.

Among her fans, Shin introduced a story of a male fan in the U.S. that bought 27 copies of her book and had each copy signed to give them to his book club members. In Spain, the author met a reader who was heartbroken, as she was at odds with her mother when she passed away.

The author realized that Korean literature seems to be fresh to other countries and its status is bigger than we think. “They seem to be looking for an alternative in humanity and community spirit which is richly expressed in Korean literature,” she said.

“I’ve heard the power of literature has dwindled in Korea over the last 10 years. But when I was outside, I felt the power of Korean literature is very dynamic and powerful. Many are interested in it.”

Concerning the translation of the book in other languages, Shin said although she wrote it in Korean, the translation is different, like traveling to the country. “Many writers say their works are like their children. For me, ‘Please Look After Mom’ is like a mother as it gave me an opportunity to meet various readers and talk to them thanks to translations.”

More and more Korean literary works have been translated into English over the last 10 years. “I think the trend is part of the improvement of translation quality. I hope many good translators work on good literary works to convey the originality to foreign readers.”

Shin will participate in the Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) from Sept. 7 to 11 in Australia as the only Korean author invited.

BWF is introducing her as “Korea’s national living treasure” and “one of South Korea’s most widely read and acclaimed novelists.”

Shin has won the Manhae Literature Prize, the Dong-in Literature Prize, and the Yi Sang Literary Prize as well as France’s Prix de l'Inapercu.

The site also describes the novel as “compassionate, redemptive and beautifully written, ‘Please Look After Mom’ reconnects us to the story of our own families and the forgotten sacrifices that lie at its heart.”

Initiated in 1962, the festival has becomes an international event inviting prestigious authors and publishers from 30 countries.

The novelist will visit Japan next month.