Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Korean stories inspire Saudi readers at Ithra Children’s Book Fair
Korean children's books are exhibited at the 2025 Ithra Children’s Book Fair in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy of Saudi Aramco
By Park Jin-hai
Ghadeer Yamani, head of children's literacy programs at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture / Courtesy of Saudi Aramco
Korea was invited as the guest of honor country at a children’s book fair at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where young Saudi readers can explore Korean culture through children’s books.
The 2025 Ithra Children’s Book Fair, running through Sunday, July 19 (local time), is in its fifth year of shedding light on literacy, creativity and cultural enrichment, primarily for children aged 4 to 14. Previous guest countries included Belgium, Sweden, France and Egypt.
Ghadeer Yamani, head of children’s literacy programs at the King Abdulaziz Center, also known as Ithra, noted how Korea’s storytelling culture resonates with Saudi Arabians.
"Korean children’s books are widely appreciated for their emotional depth, visual richness and ability to engage young readers in creative and meaningful ways," she said during an interview with The Korea Times.
She said Korean children’s books often invite readers to slow down, reflect and look inward.
"The stories explore emotion with care and encourage thoughtful observation of the world around them. This kind of storytelling can inspire Saudi children to see the world from a different lens and to understand how stories from other cultures can feel familiar in unexpected ways," she said.
The fair features a Korean pavilion, workshops and bilingual reading experiences. Among the highlights so far was the visit of Korean author and illustrator Han Dam-hee, who won the BolognaRagazzi Award in the CrossMedia Projects category this year, making her the first Asian artist to receive the honor. Han held a special workshop, allowing children to engage in creative bookmaking and decorate traditional Korean paper fans.
According to Yamani, Han's illustrated stories are known for their artistry and depth, exploring themes of memory, childhood and introspection.
"Her work resonates across cultures and ages and I believe it offers young readers in Saudi Arabia a unique window into Korean storytelling, while also encouraging empathy and reflection," she said.
Cover of Han Dam-hee's picture book "Star Papa" published in Arabic / Captured from Bookgorae's Instagram
'Star Papa' modeled after farmer father
Author and illustrator Han Dam-hee / Courtesy of Saudi Aramco
Han, whose work "An Elephant Got Stuck" was also introduced in Saudi Arabia last year, said she was very proud and touched to represent Korea during the fair.
"It’s amazing to see children in Saudi Arabia enjoy and connect with Korean picture books just like children in Korea," she said.
Her latest book, "Star Papa," inspired by her hardworking farmer father, was translated into Arabic and published in Saudi Arabia to coincide with the book fair.
"I think everyone is like a farmer growing stars. We work hard every day to reach our goals, just like Star Papa. He goes out at dusk and the stars bloom in the dark. It’s a reminder that hard times are sometimes needed before something beautiful can grow," she said.
"It was created during a particularly hard time in my life. The story reflects my feelings and struggles during that time. Even though it’s a children’s book, it has some deeper emotions."
Her work is a crossmedia project, where readers can experience the story through various mediums — in this case both the printed book and an interactive video.
"I believe it can spark new imagination. To me, stars are dreams about family, love, work and most of all, happiness. A star means the happiness I feel and give thanks for every day," the author said.
Literary bridge between cultures
Yamani, who lived in Korea in 2021, said she was impressed by Korea's deep sense of courtesy, community and cultural pride that permeates daily lives.
"It’s a culture that beautifully balances tradition with modernity and one that continues to inspire me. It has been especially rewarding to help bring meaningful aspects of Korean culture to young audiences and families here in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, with Korea as the guest of honor," she said.
"It fills me with pride to see children engaging with Korean stories, traditions and creative expression. Seeing their enthusiasm for cultural exchange and curiosity takes me back to my own time in Korea. The fact that Ithra has made it possible for this culture to reach them directly, broadening their horizons in such an engaging, accessible way, is truly something special."
She said Saudi stories offer a strong sense of place and identity, shaped by a natural rhythm, memory and deep family and community ties.
One of her recommendations is "Alif Baa Saudi" by Wafaa Al Sebail, a book introducing Arabic letters by connecting them to the culture. She described the books as a "wonderful example of how literature can foster pride and belonging from an early age."
"For Korean children, reading Saudi literature can offer a window into a different culture while revealing something familiar at its core. These stories show that while we may grow up in different places, the questions we ask, the emotions we feel, and the connections we seek are often the same," she said, stressing this mutual exchange can foster empathy by showing universal themes like identity and friendship through diverse cultural lenses.
"Whether it is identity, family, friendship or change, stories from Korea and the Arab world explore these themes in ways that reflect their own traditions, languages and values. What is most exciting is the space where these approaches meet," she said.
"When children are introduced to stories from another culture, they begin to understand that differences in style or setting often lead to similar emotions and reflections. The moment something unfamiliar feels deeply relatable is where true connection begins and where literature becomes a bridge between worlds."